Railwatch 078 - December 1998

South West

By Gerard Duddridge

Barnstaple LinePlans for the 1999 timetable which would see the number of Barnstaple to Exeter trains reduced, from 11 daily to the PSR minimum of seven, hit the headlines in September. We understand that Devon County Council subsidises three or four trains, but only between Exeter and Crediton. At a recent Rail Users Consultative Committee meeting, Peter Griggs of Wales and West would only guarantee PSR levels of service on his network. The cuts are being opposed by rail users in Devon. In its model franchise, RDS South West suggested that the PSR minimum should be hourly (18 trains), although we recognise that for even interval operation two loops are required and those at Crediton and Eggesford are simply too close together. We believe that this level of service will be sustainable, if the railway is developed with good bus links and also extended to Bideford. It is also the policy of Devon County Council that the service should be hourly between Exeter and Barnstaple.

Beyond Barnstaple Regarding the planned Barnstaple Western Bypass and the Bideford line an RDS member, who responded to the item in Railwatch 76, sent us a copy of the reply from Devon County Council. Dr. Harrison's letter of 11 August says the council is taking a fresh look at providing a railway bridge for the Bideford line at Barnstaple and that it is having discussions with Railtrack and a train operating company. A report in the Western Morning News (3 October - Devon edition) has suggested that EWS is keen that the proposed road and bridge scheme does not prejudice its ability to return rail-borne freight traffic to the North Devon area. Also, a meeting of Devon County Council's environment committee has agreed that North Devon and Torridge district councils should be asked to give financial backing to a study of the economic potential of extending the rail network beyond Barnstaple.

Plans for a better Helston bus/rail link It was recently revealed, at Cornwall County Council's conference on Integrating Transport, that further development of the Redruth to Helston bus link is to take place. Essentially the link is to be treated as an experiment and targeted with a range of key improvements. These will include:

1. More buses timed to meet trains

2. Improved waiting arrangements at Redruth

3. Two way radio on the buses

4. New easy access buses for passengers with luggage and wheelchairs

5. Carriage of bicycles

6. Improvements at bus stops to include shelters and bus information

7. Improved marketing such as the appearance of the bus times in the national railway timetable.

Trolley trouble In a move more akin to supermarkets than railway stations, Great Western has created luggage trolley points at Exeter St Davids, Newton Abbot and Plymouth stations. Users of the trolleys have to unlock them by inserting a £l coin. The coin is returned when the trolleys are replaced at their ‘points'. However, this may prove a money-spinner for Great Western or other ‘opportunists' as passengers travelling alone cannot risk leaving their luggage unattended on the platfom or on the train while they return their trolley.

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