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