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It would be pointless closing any stations between Crediton and Eggesford, given that trains have to cross there in order to run an hourly service.
That was my view too until I looked at the figures. It is possible
to run EGG/CDI in 18 minutes whilst only another 8 minutes are
needed to reach the main line from CDI.
Thus there is a potential to omit all stops between EGG and EXD» (Exeter St Davids - next trains)
apart from CDI and to retain an hourly service without needing to
pass at Crediton. In an editorial the North Devon Journal gave
support to the idea of alternate slow and semi-fast trains. This
provides a service every two hours to the halts - a frequency
that is now regarded as acceptable for rural 'bus routes.
In my submission to the DfT» (Department for Transport - about) in March, I set out a specimen
timetable that could achieve this slow/semi-fast pattern. It
also provided:
a) Service to Okehampton (Park and Ride at Oke East)
b) Two hourly service between Barnstaple and Axminster
c) No impact on Exmouth services
d) No MAJOR infrastructure upgrades
Copies of this can be requested by e-mail (alanr555@waitrose.com)
The situation North of Eggesford is different. It is possible to
run EGG/BNP▸ (Barnstaple station (in the context of the railways)) in 23 minutes stopping only at Umberleigh. With
request stops included a round trip EGG/BNP/EGG should be
always achievable within an hour.
One way to improve service to the halts is to permit reverse
direction travel (eg to/from EXD via EGG).
Of course, the real need is for upgrades of the infrastructure
and the automation of "possession" of single track sections
but we CAN have faster connections BNP/EXD before such
investment is made. For example the current 07.00 from BNP
could leave at 07.13 and arrive at EXD at the same time.
Let us look at the objective (fast connections at key times)
rather than getting sucked in to a "closure" debate. We CAN
have the faster connections AND provide rural connectivity.
Alan - EX39 2BA
