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Author Topic: Re-use of Welsh railway tunnels for cycling  (Read 35546 times)
froome
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« Reply #30 on: April 01, 2021, 13:57:34 »

It is indeed. So you can ride through the tunnel but can't cross over to Tintern (the village where tinternet was invented). I don't know to what extent the paths north of the tunnel have been cleared/improved anyway...

I don't know about immediately north of the tunnel, but there has been a cyclepath along the trackbed towards the Monmouth end for many years. I remember riding it more years than I can remember ago.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #31 on: April 01, 2021, 14:27:47 »

There's a path along the trackbed north of Monmouth to Symond's Yat which is very rideable. I don't know if that's the one you're referring to?
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« Reply #32 on: April 01, 2021, 19:24:06 »

I have very mixed feelings about the re-use of railway tunnels for cycling.
If there is NO REALISTIC chance of the tunnel being required again for railway use, then I support the idea.

If however the tunnel might reasonably be required again for a railway, then I am opposed to use as a cycle route. Such use  as a cycle route effectively prohibits future railway use.
Re-opening and re-instating of railway lines is hard enough without having to contend with the more rabid end of the cycling lobby.
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It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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« Reply #33 on: April 01, 2021, 19:49:37 »

Though of course an open tunnel (for cyclists) has to be maintained and kept in a safe condition.  Closed tunnels are often boarded up and left to decay and become unsafe or very costly to reopen.

I can recommend Paul & Rebecca Whitewick’s YouTube channel, and also Martin Zero’s as well, for anyone who wants to find out about old railway tunnels.
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froome
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« Reply #34 on: April 01, 2021, 20:25:46 »

There's a path along the trackbed north of Monmouth to Symond's Yat which is very rideable. I don't know if that's the one you're referring to?

Just had a look at the map and you are right. It made for a lovely ride from Symond's Yat to Monmouth, with the trackbed south from there being just a walkway.

But anyway, there is no reason for any English cyclist not to enjoy the new Wye Valley track right now.
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CyclingSid
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« Reply #35 on: April 02, 2021, 10:12:28 »

From a hopefully not too rabid cyclist. Not knowing actual numbers, but in the case of the Two Tunnels in Bath are there more commuter cyclists than there would be any potential train commuters? If there is a regular user base I would favour things being left as they are rather than a change to benefit a few weeks of tourist traffic a year. In the case of the Two Tunnels would a steam heritage train be attractive through probably the longest unventilated tunnel in England.

I am sure we have ventilated this subject before.
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Lee
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« Reply #36 on: April 02, 2021, 10:30:11 »

From a hopefully not too rabid cyclist. Not knowing actual numbers, but in the case of the Two Tunnels in Bath are there more commuter cyclists than there would be any potential train commuters? If there is a regular user base I would favour things being left as they are rather than a change to benefit a few weeks of tourist traffic a year. In the case of the Two Tunnels would a steam heritage train be attractive through probably the longest unventilated tunnel in England.

I am sure we have ventilated this subject before.

We have indeed, and duly noted that even among the most "rabid" of rail reopening advocates, there is an acceptence that for many, many reasons, particularly in terms of accessing the modern rail network into Bath Spa, it wouldn't be practical to reopen from Bath to Radstock/Shepton/beyond through the original Two Tunnels route, and that the long-marked out alternative route via Bathampton, Limpley Stoke, Monkton Combe and part of the old Camerton branch would have to be utilsed as far as Midford instead. Even if you wanted to "go heritage" and try and access the original station at Green Park, you would quickly find that impractical due to the huge amount of development and other changes that have taken place along the original alignment since closure.

So, please, continue to enjoy the genuinely wonderful active travel facility that the Two Tunnels route has become to your heart's content without living in fear that it could be taken away from you  Smiley

Anyway, I get myself into trouble if I spend too long on this topic, so I will "ventilate" no longer  Grin
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« Reply #37 on: April 02, 2021, 14:29:27 »

So, please, continue to enjoy the genuinely wonderful active travel facility that the Two Tunnels route has become to your heart's content without living in fear that it could be taken away from you  Smiley

Funny that the Two Tunnels comes up ... from this morning. First trip beyond Melksham except for essentials; even this was exercise. Full report late, but I need a rest first.

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CyclingSid
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« Reply #38 on: April 04, 2021, 08:08:29 »

I think it is a case of "use it or loose it". Encourage former rail lines to be used as footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes to keep them open. Reduces the likelihood of tunnels being filled with municipal rubbish and cuttings being filled with waste. Also the potential of an additional funding stream if a railway is re-instated alongside this use. This is very much the attitude of the South Downs National Park who have said planning permission will only be granted on former railway lines for active and sustainable projects.
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CyclingSid
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« Reply #39 on: April 04, 2021, 08:51:30 »

Back to the original topic?
https://road.cc/content/news/new-tunnel-disused-railway-line-opens-cyclists-282275
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