The Lynton Line 1 v3 3 _online.pdf · The$Lynton$Line$–$Issue$1$July$2020$...
Transcript of The Lynton Line 1 v3 3 _online.pdf · The$Lynton$Line$–$Issue$1$July$2020$...
The Lynton Line – Issue 1 July 2020 An occasional newsletter intended to keep local residents informed about activity on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, including events, behind-‐the-‐scenes work and rebuilding.
Lockdown March-‐July 2020
After lockdown was announced in March, our staff were furloughed and volunteers were unable to perform the regular track and signal maintenance, grass cutting and other tasks essential to running a safe railway. Some were able to work at home restoring smaller items, but weekly Zoom conference-‐call sessions allowed us to identify which of our local volunteers could safely attend at Woody Bay. Risk assessment, self-‐declarations and working guidelines were developed. A maximum of six volunteers were allowed anywhere on site at any one time, and essential maintenance tasks only were carried out whilst maintaining social distancing.
As a result, much of the usual pre-‐season maintenance work needed to keep the railway infrastructure safe and in good repair has been carried out.
Re-‐opened 18th July 2020
The easing of lockdown restrictions, and the need to re-‐stimulate the hospitality industry, make it very likely that our area will see significant numbers of visitors this summer. With some tourist attractions still closed, and having seen the situation that arose earlier in the year in seaside resorts like Woolacombe, we felt it was important for the railway (as an outdoor tourist attraction with free off-‐road parking) to re-‐open once this can be done safely. This provides visitors with an additional safe activity during their stay in the area.
Therefore, we re-‐opened on 18th July, the same day as the Cliff Railway. We are running to our normal timetable 7 days a week, and provide a limited refreshment service. Before that, locomotives and coaches were fully inspected ready for use in passenger service. A series of trial runs to Killington Lane allowed us to check all was well mechanically, and provided the opportunity for volunteer and staff competency checks. Preparations were made at Woody Bay, Killington Lane, and on the coaches, to ensure that all Government guidance was being
adhered to. This includes advice from the Office of Rail and Road (our regulator) and from the Heritage Railway Association.
Future Working Parties
We need to maintain all the land we own. This entails occasional activity to fence the railway trackbed, manage vegetation, and improve drainage of the land to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion.
Some time ago we removed over 10m depth of silt from a hollow between the A39 and the railway embankment, in order to clear a blocked culvert at Lower Rowley. The blockage had left the substantial embankment above it at risk of collapsing into the valley below.
You may have seen parties of our volunteers tackling such tasks on sections of the route over certain spring and autumn weekends. These working parties additionally bring valued out-‐of-‐season custom for local B&Bs, pubs and restaurants.
We intend to inform local residents in advance of such activity via subsequent newsletters, as well as discussing our plans with immediate neighbours in the work areas. Two such projects are likely in the coming months, subject to lockdown guidelines.
The first project is to complete surface drainage work on the section of
trackbed between Blackmoor and Wistlandpound. We rebuilt two
bridges on this section in 2019, but bad weather, and then Covid, prevented one final task being completed. This drainage should avoid fields below
Pound Lane bridge (seen at its official opening right) becoming flooded, as
has happened in recent years.
The second planned project is a drainage scheme being designed in conjunction with the County Highways to alleviate the flooding down Cricket Field Lane, Parracombe, which has made the track virtually impassable. This work is being undertaken for the benefit of the local community, rather than for the reinstatement of the railway.
Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO)
In order to operate the line over the planned extension to Blackmoor and Wistlandpound, a TWAO is needed. This will confer Statutory Authorisation for the railway including the powers and obligations relevant to construction, maintenance and operation.
Preparations for the submission of the Draft TWAO to the Secretary of State for Transport are well-‐advanced, and it is expected that the order will be deposited this summer. The land plans have been prepared and land ownership details are being checked.
Meetings with Landowners
Discussions are taking place with adjacent landowners to understand their requirements for fencing, access, etc., and consultations are continuing with the various stakeholders.
Q&A – your questions answered
What planning conditions apply to the railway’s Planning Consent granted by Exmoor National Park?
Both Exmoor National Park (ENP) and North Devon Council (NDC) imposed conditions on the planning approvals for the reinstatement of the sections of the line which fall within their respective jurisdictions. These conditions can be viewed on the planning portals of the respective Council websites.
How does the application for the TWAO affect the planning conditions?
Planning approval can be granted within a Transport and Works Act Order if such approvals do not already exist. For the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, which already has planning approval, this power is not required. Unless specifically stated within the order, the planning conditions are not affected.
Has the railway been carrying out work in a conservation area and in apparent breach of planning conditions?
During the 85 years the line has been closed, the boundary fencing had been neglected, culverts had become blocked and watercourses were not maintained, giving the potential dangers of flooding and land erosion. Work to rectify these issues has included the felling of some trees that ENP had agreed in advance were unsafe.
None of these works are related to the building of the railway. As a responsible landowner, we are simply seeking to preserve the condition and fences of the land we own. We are not seeking to avoid or subvert any planning conditions.
A culvert near Parracombe -‐ flowing freely, as it should
Similar works have taken place on the trackbed outside the National Park near Wistlandpound. Again, there is no attempt to start building the line at this stage. However, NDC did amend the planning conditions on the section between Blackmoor and Wistlandpound to allow the L&B Trust to take advantage of a Leader 5 Grant to reconstruct two bridges on that section.
Do the L&BR Business Case and Environmental Impact Assessment need to be revisited in the light of the Covid crisis, the climate emergency, changes in the specification of the reinstatement, increases in construction costs and even the closure of Shearings Holidays?
The environmental impact assessment which has been carried out was exhaustive and remains valid. The L&B Trust’s business case for the extended railway was comprehensive and has been supported widely, including by both ENP and NDC planning committees. It has been reviewed for the TWAO and remains valid. There are no significant changes to the specification, or to the overall cost of the project.
The Covid crisis is likely to create a significant increase in UK-‐based holidays over the next few years. While the current situation is difficult for all businesses in the area, after lockdown we can expect North Devon visitor numbers to increase rather than decline. Other companies will replace Shearings, and its closure does not bear directly on the L&B business.
The L&B would break even this year even if we were unable to operate at all this summer. This is possible because of the assistance from the Government and NDC, as well as the generous donations we have received from supporters throughout the country. Sadly, we have been forced to furlough our staff and to make diligent cost savings in many areas.
Looking ahead, the recession will have a short-‐term impact, but investment in infrastructure will be a vital tool in returning the tourism industry in North Devon to full health. The extension of the L&B to Blackmoor Gate and Wistlandpound will bring new visitors to the area, it will encourage people to come and enjoy the wonderful countryside of North Devon, and it will help to save the jobs and livelihoods of many who live in the area.
Can the L&B Trust raise the money required for the project?
The L&B Trust has received substantial and generous support from private individuals during the current Covid crisis. This demonstrates the depth and breadth of support that exists for the survival and restoration of the L&B. The Trust is confident that the necessary funds will be raised from private donations and from other sources. As mentioned above, there can be no doubt that the economy of North Devon will need new attractions, such as the extended L&B, to enable the recovery and growth of tourism to the area for now and in the future.
Feedback
We welcome your feedback on this newsletter, and will answer any additional questions you may have. Contact our Operations Director Clive Robey clive.robey@lynton-‐rail.co.uk . Published by: The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust, Woody Bay Station, Martinhoe Cross, Parracombe, Devon, EX31 4RA.
www.lynton-‐rail.co.uk Tel: 01598 763487