Dawlish Avoiding Line - ongoing discussion, merged topic

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Original article:

The line between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot is not expected to reopen until mid April at the earliest and in the meantime buses are replacing trains.

So that's 8 or 9 weeks.   Where did I get a figure of 6 weeks from?

[ChrisB]

hmm - they haven't even *started* discussing it with the Dartmoor people. Grip 0, I reckon

Yes, I was about to post on this new April re-opening.....it's superceding the 6 week suggestion. THey ought to properly announce that, rather than 'leaking' it out. I suspect they're still being optimistic, frankly, but don't want to alarm the tourist industry just yet.

[Red Squirrel]

If there's any truth in the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) story, I presume this will put the Kilbride Tavistock project back to GRIP^▸ (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) 1...

[AMLAG]

This is FANTASTIC news that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) favour re-instatement of Meldon to Tavistock/Bere Alston as the alternative/diversionary route for Plymouth and Cornwall rail traffic to the increasingly vulnerable S.Devon coastal route; which no doubt will still be maintained.
The Government have various powers based on importance and urgency that can be enacted to speed up the whole process of re-instatement of this essential transport link.

Interesting times ahead and already a developing huge welcome of this re-assuring news from the vast majority of the People, Businesses and Industries of Plymouth, West Devon and Cornwall.

[stuving]

Original article:

The line between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot is not expected to reopen until mid April at the earliest and in the meantime buses are replacing trains.

So that's 8 or 9 weeks.   Where did I get a figure of 6 weeks from?

I saw a BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) engineer on site being interviewed on TV. He said there was at least six weeks of work - but also that they would first need to survey it and plan the work. His initial estimate would also need to be replaced by one based on the actual plan. So it's no surprise that the total time to completion would be nine weeks, and even that may be subject to extension due to various things - not least the weather!

[ChrisB]

This is FANTASTIC news that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) favour re-instatement of Meldon to Tavistock/Bere Alston as the alternative/diversionary route for Plymouth and Cornwall rail traffic to the increasingly vulnerable S.Devon coastal route; which no doubt will still be maintained.
The Government have various powers based on importance and urgency that can be enacted to speed up the whole process of re-instatement of this essential transport link.

Interesting times ahead and already a developing huge welcome of this re-assuring news from the vast majority of the People, Businesses and Industries of Plymouth, West Devon and Cornwall.

Don't think this will move fast though....

[Plymboi]

Bit too quick!!!

[Tim]

Is it really the best route?  Trains will need to reverse at Exeter and Plymouth which will slow journeys down.  

It all depends on what the long term plans for the existing route are though.  If that is to be downgraded then I think it ought to be replaced with something of higher speed than NRs^» (Network Rail - home page) proposal.  Journey times to Devon and Cornwall are already far to slow.

The Maldon route might however be suitable for a diversionary route to allow the sea-front route to be closed, dug up and comprehensively strengthened (ie with a solid concrete sea wall not a retaining wall back filled with soil and sand) before being relaid.  

[ChrisB]

The article I think refers (possibly obliquely) to it becoming the 'reserve' line for Mainline - so the Dawlish line is to be fully repaired (rather than singled with a shuttle service) - so the avoiding line may be single with several loops, enough to run hourly mainlines if/when Dawlish is again unusable.

So your final para applies

[Plymboi]

I think it wouldn't actually see reversals because the services wouldn't actually go to Cornwall via okehampton they would normally go via the existing route. The SWT^▸ (South West Trains) Waterloo to Exeter would extended to plymouth via okehampton and tavistock. Needing no reversals.

[ChrisB]

THat would make inter-SW journeys interesting for those from those stations though!

[Tim]

I think it wouldn't actually see reversals because the services wouldn't actually go to Cornwall via okehampton they would normally go via the existing route. The SWT^▸ (South West Trains) Waterloo to Exeter would extended to plymouth via okehampton and tavistock. Needing no reversals.

Thanks (and ChrisB) too.  I'm starting to get it and it is starting to make sense.

[JayMac]

And with this proposed alternative route the entire population of Torbay are resigned to replacement buses when there are future problems on the sea wall section.

[Super Guard]

I think it wouldn't actually see reversals because the services wouldn't actually go to Cornwall via okehampton they would normally go via the existing route. The SWT^▸ (South West Trains) Waterloo to Exeter would extended to plymouth via okehampton and tavistock. Needing no reversals.

SWT did all they can to get rid of their service from Exeter to Plymouth, I expect there is zero chance of them extending it again!

[Lee]

I think it wouldn't actually see reversals because the services wouldn't actually go to Cornwall via okehampton they would normally go via the existing route. The SWT^▸ (South West Trains) Waterloo to Exeter would extended to plymouth via okehampton and tavistock. Needing no reversals.

SWT did all they can to get rid of their service from Exeter to Plymouth, I expect there is zero chance of them extending it again!

It wouldnt be their choice if the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) specified it in a future franchise.