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Electrification of the Dawlish route should be a non-starter given that this stretch of line will end up in the sea in due course. The reason why this stretch of line is becoming more vulnerable is that sea level is rising. Given that our leaders are showing little enthusiasm for tackling the...

Standard cost/benefit analysis is not appropriate when discussing rail alternatives to the Dawlish route. The reasons are quite simple: (1) we can be certain that the line will be closed again at some point due to the weather, although the odds are against anything as severe as last winter...

This is a misrepresentation of the climate & sea level situation. Admittedly the odds are low of an event occurring in any specific autumn/winter period [eg 2014/15] that is as serious as the one we saw last winter, but there is no doubt that both the frequency and severity of events will rise...

The subject of sea level rise is of paramount importance when considering future rail options from Exeter to Plymouth. KM's statements on sea level rise are misleading - (a) The 0.8m projection is based on the fact that the current rate of sea level rise is much greater than KM suggests and...

Readers of the forum may recall that I posted just a couple of days before the line was closed earlier this year. I stated that it was only a matter of time before the line ended up in the sea. I didn't envisage things happening quite that soon but the reasoning was based on solid climate...

Two observations: 1) I don't think a service should depend on overtime to operate - Sundays should be part of the contracted hours 2) I had a quick skim read of the DfT document. I found no mention of Boxing Day services. I would like to see the DfT instruct bidders to put forward proposals...

The average speed between Leeds and Manchester is pathetic given the size of the population centres, and the target journey time of 40 minutes with electrification is lacking in ambition.

A day return is covered by a one day Gold ticket which costs £9.

I think it already has had a negative impact. I know the area well and would use a reopened Colne-Skipton reasonably frequently. In my opinion the wrong line [out of the 2] has been reopened. There is a high frequency bus service to Manchester, which passes very close to Manchester Victoria, so...

I notice that the Northern Rail MD states they will have to do more with less. The only logical conclusion to draw from that is that the service will be worse not better.

It is stating the obvious that something that no longer exists will not frequently be thought about by most people. Lack of public transport leads to at least some degree of social exclusion for those that, for whatever reason, do not have access to a car.

The fact is that most people in 2014 will not use slow bus services. The level of demand for a bus service is not a useful indicator of how popular a train service would be. I travel frequently within the East Lancs/West Yorks area and would use a reopened Colne-Skipton service regularly if it...

As I have explained previously, the past climate is not a useful guide to the future when looking at this particular type of extreme event. The environment has changed, therefore the mathematical return period of such an event becomes considerably shorter.

Yes. Personally I see the Okehampton route as desirable rather than essential. What is essential, to prevent Plymouth and Cornwall from being inaccessible by rail, is a new inland route. On cost grounds it will probably be easier to pursuade a government to authorise a direct Exeter-Newton...

The weather is central to the case. This stretch of main line [Exeter-Newton Abbott] is unique and is not comparable to other stretches of line you have tried to compare it with in some of your posts.

The odds are that nothing so severe will happen next winter, so I hope this doesn't lure people into a false sense of security. The point is that the frequency of events of this type will increase as sea level continues to rise. Using the climate of the last 150 years to predict what is likely...

I agree.

The complacency of this post is breathtaking. What is 'impractical' is to assume that strengthening the existing section is an appropriate solution for the main line to Plymouth.

Mod Note: discussion on this topic has been split into 3 threads: For discussion on alternative route proposals, please use Suggestions for Dawlish avoiding route For discussion on the impact of 'trapped' trains, please use Train sets trapped in Devon and Cornwall For ticketing matters...

It would be a waste of money to electrify this section as sooner or later it will end up in the sea due to the fact that sea level is rising and will continue to do so. Planning needs to start now for a new electrified line bypassing this section.