Copplestone (Tarka line) now a compulsory stop - why?

[Bishopstone]

I note that, since the May timetable change, Copplestone has been a regular compulsory stop for Tarka line services between Exeter and Barnstaple. Previously it was a request stop.

The neighbouring halts of Yeoford and Morchard Road remain request stops and have similar usage, though Copplestone is a little higher than both.

Was there a timetabling reason behind the change of designation, or has recent growth in passenger numbers meant that almost everything was stopping at Copplestone anyway?

 

[Gloster]

So that we can get out and pay just homage to Ernest Bevin.

 

[D6130]

So that we can get out and pay just homage to Ernest Bevin.

I thought his ashes were buried in Westminster Abbey?

 

[Gloster]

I thought his ashes were buried in Westminster Abbey?

Indeed they are, but he spent part of his childhood in Copplestone and these, the period from age eight to thirteen, may have been the ones that formed his philosophy.

 

[D6130]

Indeed they are, but he spent part of his childhood in Copplestone and these, the period from age eight to thirteen, may have been the ones that formed his philosophy.

Thanks for that. You learn something new on these forums every day!

 

[johnnychips]

Thanks for that. You learn something new on these forums every day!

But not the answer to the OP’s question.

 

[Starmill]

Probably overdue. The only station between Crediton and Barnstaple with a catchment that actually includes a substantial local village.

 

[Bishopstone]

Probably overdue. The only station between Crediton and Barnstaple with a catchment that actually includes a substantial local village.

Maybe, and some new housing has gone-up recently. Though, Umberleigh has considerably higher usage (as a railhead for South Molton and Torrington, presumably?), but remains a request stop.

 

[Parallel]

Maybe, and some new housing has gone-up recently. Though, Umberleigh has considerably higher usage (as a railhead for South Molton and Torrington, presumably?), but remains a request stop.

Maybe that's something to do with the timetable - there used to be relatively tight turnaround times for most services at Barnstaple and presumably having mandatory stops between Eggesford and Barnstaple would eat into that turnaround time.

 

[Johnny Lewis]

I believe there has been - or there is shortly to be - an extension to the car park there, so will be looking to develop the Park & Ride market. Hence the request stop status being dropped from all the trains that stop there (which I think is pretty well all of them anyway).

 

[Amlag]

Copplestone is seen these days as a ‘Railhead’ station on the North Devon ‘Tarka’ line and a new 60 space car park was built last year on the site of the former Slaughter House (which until the mid 60’s sent meat by rail to London). This car park STILL awaits official opening and is to be run by GWR‘s Car Park Contractor Apcoa and it will have a charge.
The station between Crediton and Barnstaple with the largest adjacent population, but the worst train service, is poor old Lapford once home of Ambrosia Tinned Rice puddings now still made at Lifton and still road hauled by Thompsons Transport of Moretonhampstead station who have been the main haulier since the traffic was lost by the railway to road in about 1965/6.

 

[Kite159]

This car park STILL awaits official opening and is to be run by GWR‘s Car Park Contractor Apcoa and it will have a charge

Shame they are getting their favourite parasite company in to charge for parking to try and generate extra revenue, most likely via cameras to catch people out. All it does is pushes regular users away to parking on the side of the road if allowed.

It might generate more usage if the car park was free, as it isn't like a rural station carpark will get 'abused' by non rail users leaving their cars in for months at a time etc.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Regular Lapford passenger traffic was killed of by bus competition. Copplestone has indeed grown over the years and now warrants being a proper stop.
There had been a proposal to close both Copplestone and Morchard Road and replace them with a Mid Devon Parkway but thankfully this appears to have dropped.

 

[Parallel]

Regular Lapford passenger traffic was killed of by bus competition. Copplestone has indeed grown over the years and now warrants being a proper stop.

I’m not surprised by this - the village of Lapford is up a fairly steep hill with a bit of a walk to the station. I recall Lapford Cross is closer but on the main road.

The worst service on the line surely goes to Portsmouth Arms or Chapelton though, but when you see what’s in the vicinity, it’s easy to see why!

Umberleigh could probably do with some sort of car park improvement as that station seems to be the ‘chosen’ one for North Devon locals. I assume it draws some in some trade from Bideford too.