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992
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Journey by Journey / London to the West / Re: Dawlish solution - add 2.5m to the sea wall
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on: February 06, 2019, 08:40:52
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It is not just the sea wall that has to be considered. There are the cliffs to the east of Dawlish which are not the most stable. Another engineering solution is needed here.
Whilst I would like to see the Southern route return, I believe focus should be on getting the Okehampton and Tavistock lines open first.
Once those are completed then it may be worth looking at linking them.
If an inland route is to be built at Dawlish can you justify keeping the original route?
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1000
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Where was Phil some 45 years ago, in 1974?
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on: January 26, 2019, 18:11:15
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Yes, it was not that long ago. It was used as the school bus from Powerstock in the mornings so was quite full by Bridport.
It was then cut back just to Powerstock-Bridport via Loders, except the school runs.
Finally removed like virtually all of West Dorset bus routes.
However we still have the service from Bridport to Yeovil but this is run in up to three parts depending on day and time. It can be First Bus to Yeovil, or First Bus to Beaminster, followed by Buses of Somerset from Beaminster to Crewkerne and then South West Coaches to Yeovil.
On Saturdays it is a community bus Bridport to Crewkerne
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1001
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Where was Phil some 45 years ago, in 1974?
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on: January 26, 2019, 15:29:48
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Leakers is still going, producing excellent breads and buns. The shop next door, Marion remembers but it is now a hairdressers.
The only time I wandered onto the West Bay branch was around 1960 when we walked down the line. Was rather surprised to hear a pannier tank whistle up, leading to a rapid exit.
In the 70s and 80s I was living in Maiden Newton and spent many hours in the signal box in the evenings.
I also caught the rail replacement bus to Bridport, which ran into Colfox. It was a relaxing 45 minute journey, ideal preparation for the teaching ahead. The springtime wild flower display was stunning.
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1002
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Where was Phil some 45 years ago, in 1974?
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on: January 26, 2019, 11:57:58
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You can still walk the trackbed from Loders to Wytherstone cutting. At Loders a short stretch is owned by Sustrans. From the end of this bit it is a permissive path on land owned by Mappercombe Farm this continues to Powerstock station, which is privately owned. Nearby is the Marquis of Lorne for lunch. From Powerstock station the permissive path continues, joining up with the Powerstock Common Nature Reserve of the Dorset Wildlife Trust. You can walk this until the track crosses the minor road.
From there, it is not generally accessible. I have managed it in the past but not recently.
Finally there is a section from the bay platform at Maiden Newton to the Cattistock road which is an official footpath, passing the gravity siding on your left.
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1003
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Where was Phil some 45 years ago, in 1974?
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on: January 26, 2019, 11:10:38
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Bridport Branch, Bradpole Crossing; the gates have been reinstated on the Toller side and 100m of trackbed has a seat an well cut grass, the rails still cross the road.
I used to teach at the nearby Colfox School and was told by one teacher of his arriving by train for the interview. The guard asked him where he was going and as a result dropped him off at the crossing. Little was it known then that the headteacher was waiting at Bridport Station to give him a lift to the school!
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