Public Access to Lympstone Commando station?

[ParleLover]

I am hoping to be going down to Exeter St. Davids to spend some time going to different low usage stations as well as Lympstone Commando.

I do know that access outside of the station is strictly prohibited but access to the station itself technically isn't.

I don't want to appear unannounced and cause some tension, so I was wondering whether I should let ask the Commando base for permission or not?

I don't want to upset the military - I don't think it'll end well.

 

[yorkie]

There is a footpath there, but I am not sure if you are actually permitted to use the station.

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/devons-only-passenger-train-station-1027624

Signs on the platform state that the station can only be used by people visiting the camp.

Although, a Freedom of Information request published in 2012 revealed that the Ministry of Defence does not have powers to limit access to the station due to it being owned by Network Rail.

However, the exit to the station is through a locked gate.

Photographers and other people seen at the station are likely to attract the attention of the commando base's security staff...

 

[willas00]

Geoff Marshall who did All the Stations filmed there for a Request Stop video

(6 minutes into the video)

From everything I've read online, I think it used to be before this path existed, you really only could get off there if you were going to the Commando base...

...and now there's a gate out into the footpath, nobody cares. But I think that dispels the myth that you can't get out at Lympstone Commando station; because you can!

He tells you about what you can and can’t do at the station.

 

[Clarence Yard]

The M.D. of GWR had an interesting experience when he alighted not so long ago. He was met by someone military brandishing what military men tend to carry. Asked what he was doing there, the M.D. queried what the military man was doing on “his” station!

After suitable ID was established, both parties went on their separate ways, one on the next train!

Morale of the story - be very careful.

 

[Kite159]

Just don't go there when the camp is closed as the gate to the station will most likely be locked shut and chances are unless you have military ID the train won't stop

 

[paul1609]

The station is a request halt you'll be asked to show your mod/ military id if you want the train to stop. National Cycle Route 2 runs between the camp and the station now so your unlikely run in to trouble with military. The gate is often locked. if you want to visit it you can walk about a mile along the cycleway from Exton Station its not very exciting.

 

[Hornet]

Didn't have a problem when I got off and took photo's there.

 

[PHILIPE]

Isn't the pathway part of the South West Coastal path ?

 

[joncombe]

I recall the station years ago having signs saying you can only alight here "If you have business at CTCRM". I think now it has signage that is a little clearer but until recently there was no way to get from the platform to anywhere but the military base, where there was a guard hut hence no access without suitable ID/documents.

However with the opening of the Exe Valley Way, a nice cycle and footpath has been built from Exeter to Exmouth and much of it runs right alongside the railway line, as it does at Lympstone Commando. So there is now direct access from the platform to the cycle path and the commando base is the other side of the fence. So in theory anyone can use the station now, although the signs about no access other than those visiting the commando base are I think still present on the platform. I also recall from my last visit there is a sturdy metal gate between the platform and the cycle path which had a sign on it saying public access to the station wasn't permitted, but the gate was wide open so there was nothing to stop you.

With the cycle path behind it, it does seem rather pointless to try to keep this station for military use only given the public can get off a train onto the platform and can also use the cycle track behind it. Having said that it's hardly a major inconvenience given Exton station is less than 10 minutes walk away.

 

[joncombe]

Isn't the pathway part of the South West Coastal path ?

No, the South West Coast Path uses the Starcross to Exmouth ferry, it doesn't head this far up the estuary. But it is part of the Exe Valley Way a cycle (and foot) path along both sides of the estuary, so I guess it might become part of the South West Coast Path one day.