Post by wirewiper on Sept 23, 2020 9:44:21 GMT
Barnstaple - Ilfracombe
The seaside town of Ilfracombe has suffered since its rail service closed in 1970. At present buses run every 30 minutes between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, and every 15 minutes between Barnstaple and Braunton.
I would extend the hourly Exeter - Barnstaple train service to Ilfracombe, with an intermediate station at Braunton. I would also reopen the former Barnstaple Town Station and close the current Barnstaple station (the former Barnstaple Junction) as it is poorly located. Barnstaple's bus station is also poorly located and moving it to a new site adjacent to Barnstaple Town would improve onward bus connections to many parts of North Devon.
Meldon Quarry - Bere Alston (Exeter-Plymouth via Okehampton and Tavistock)
This could serve as a diversion route when the South Devon main line is closed; but it would primarily be built to support an hourly local service and would be largely single track with passing loops and low-cost signalling.
Trains would operate hourly between Exeter Central and Plymouth calling ar Exeter St David's, Newton St Cyres, Crediton. Sampford Courtenay (x), Okehampton, Lydford (x), Tavistock, Yelverton (x), Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, St Budeaux Victoria Road, Keyham, Dockyard and Devonport. There could possibly be new stations at Bow (x) and to the east of Okehampton. (x) = request stop.
The current Plymouth-Gunnislake service would be recast as an hourly Bere Alston-Gunnislake shuttle, and would connect with both Exeter and Plymouth-bound trains at a remodelled Bere Alston station which would have passing loops and the branch line platform reinstated.
The seaside town of Ilfracombe has suffered since its rail service closed in 1970. At present buses run every 30 minutes between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, and every 15 minutes between Barnstaple and Braunton.
I would extend the hourly Exeter - Barnstaple train service to Ilfracombe, with an intermediate station at Braunton. I would also reopen the former Barnstaple Town Station and close the current Barnstaple station (the former Barnstaple Junction) as it is poorly located. Barnstaple's bus station is also poorly located and moving it to a new site adjacent to Barnstaple Town would improve onward bus connections to many parts of North Devon.
Meldon Quarry - Bere Alston (Exeter-Plymouth via Okehampton and Tavistock)
This could serve as a diversion route when the South Devon main line is closed; but it would primarily be built to support an hourly local service and would be largely single track with passing loops and low-cost signalling.
Trains would operate hourly between Exeter Central and Plymouth calling ar Exeter St David's, Newton St Cyres, Crediton. Sampford Courtenay (x), Okehampton, Lydford (x), Tavistock, Yelverton (x), Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, St Budeaux Victoria Road, Keyham, Dockyard and Devonport. There could possibly be new stations at Bow (x) and to the east of Okehampton. (x) = request stop.
The current Plymouth-Gunnislake service would be recast as an hourly Bere Alston-Gunnislake shuttle, and would connect with both Exeter and Plymouth-bound trains at a remodelled Bere Alston station which would have passing loops and the branch line platform reinstated.