Exeter Airport - A New Station?

[Envoy]

I have just been on Google Earth and see that development is taking place to the north & west of the airfield. I would have thought that a new rail station near Clyst to serve the Airport via a short bus link, might be a good idea. It seems ridiculous that rail passengers heading for the Airport have to go into central Exeter and then come back out via congested roads when the railway is so close.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me as to whether any plans exist for a new station at this location? (Of course, the ideal situation would have been for the Exeter to Salisbury line to actually run into the terminal).

 

[The Ham]

I have just been on Google Earth and see that development is taking place to the north & west of the airfield. I would have thought that a new rail station near Clyst to serve the Airport via a short bus link, might be a good idea. It seems ridiculous that rail passengers heading for the Airport have to go into central Exeter and then come back out via congested roads when the railway is so close.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me as to whether any plans exist for a new station at this location? (Of course, the ideal situation would have been for the Exeter to Salisbury line to actually run into the terminal).

You mean a bit like the new Cranbrook station:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranbrook_(Devon)_railway_station
https://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=5...rook (Devon) railway station___&ignoreoptin=1

 

[Envoy]

The Ham - many thanks for the information. I would have thought that a station between this new one at Cranbrook & where the railway passes under the M5 would have been the optimum position for an airport bus link.

Anyway, as Cranbrook is the location of a new station that is reasonably close to the airport, it surely would be sensible to have a shuttle bus link and to market Cranbrook as the station for Exeter Airport.

 

[HowardGWR]

The Ham - many thanks for the information. I would have thought that a station between this new one at Cranbrook & where the railway passes under the M5 would have been the optimum position for an airport bus link.

Anyway, as Cranbrook is the location of a new station that is reasonably close to the airport, it surely would be sensible to have a shuttle bus link and to market Cranbrook as the station for Exeter Airport.

When considering shuttle buses, would it not be useful to consider how busy this airport is? It isn't Heathrow (or even Bristol)?

 

[Rapidash]

I had the "joy" of being on the 56 a few times this summer, I seem to recall the average number boarding was....6.

To counter that stunning number, and in the airports defence: I cannot remember the car parks being anything but full.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

When considering shuttle buses, would it not be useful to consider how busy this airport is? It isn't Heathrow (or even Bristol)?

Most people I know who use it, consider that a key advantage of the place

 

[Ash Bridge]

When considering shuttle buses, would it not be useful to consider how busy this airport is? It isn't Heathrow (or even Bristol)?

Indeed, as a comparison Exeters St Davids rail station handles around 3m passengers p.a. Compared to around 0.8m for its airport.

 

[richw]

I had the "joy" of being on the 56 a few times this summer, I seem to recall the average number boarding was....6.

To counter that stunning number, and in the airports defence: I cannot remember the car parks being anything but full.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---



Most people I know who use it, consider that a key advantage of the place

From Cornwall the train is too slow to Exeter St Davids, let alone waiting for a connection to the airport either by bus or rail. It would have to be very cheap to make it attractive.

From my house in Cornwall Exeter airport is around 1 hr 45 drive. By train to Exeter St Davids is 3 hours roughly. I live 2 mins walk from my local main line station. It costs me around £20 to drive to Exeter Airport (4 gallons of fuel should fuel prices change considerably) 1 persons off peak day return is £19.90 to Exeter St Davids at present, a period return more so.

There is presently no attraction from Cornwall to use public transport, I understand a fairly decent percentage of Exeter airport users are from Cornwall.

 

[Envoy]

Yes, the trains west of Exeter are incredibly slow and the roads are much faster - partly because they use more direct routes. All the more reason then to build a direct railway between Exeter & Newton Abbot and avoid the storm lashed coastal route.

It is a long way from Cornwall to the nearest airport with a reasonable number of destinations - Bristol. I am sure that most people in Cornwall, Devon and west Dorset would like to use Exeter Airport if destinations are available at good prices.

I note that Cardiff Airport has just over 1 million passengers per year and now seems to be growing. Cardiff Airport does have a shuttle bus from Rhoose station - which is 1 mile from the terminal. This rail option is the quickest way by public transport from the Airport to Bridgend & points west. (Cardiff Airport also has the Welsh Government funded bus link direct to the city centre every 20 minutes).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff_Airport

 

[bluenoxid]

From Cornwall the train is too slow to Exeter St Davids, let alone waiting for a connection to the airport either by bus or rail. It would have to be very cheap to make it attractive.

From my house in Cornwall Exeter airport is around 1 hr 45 drive. By train to Exeter St Davids is 3 hours roughly. I live 2 mins walk from my local main line station. It costs me around £20 to drive to Exeter Airport (4 gallons of fuel should fuel prices change considerably) 1 persons off peak day return is £19.90 to Exeter St Davids at present, a period return more so.

There is presently no attraction from Cornwall to use public transport, I understand a fairly decent percentage of Exeter airport users are from Cornwall.

What about the cost of parking at the airport?

 

[richw]

What about the cost of parking at the airport?

Last time I flew from there I paid just under £40 for 7 night holiday.

So from west Cornwall the cost of driving to Exeter around £60.
The train is showing for a family of 2+2 the cost of a off peak return is £97.30,
I can't find the bus fare, but the times suggest last service back to st David's is early evening.
I have found a taxi from st David's to airport is around £15.
So say £112.30 to take the train compared with approx £60 by car for a family of 4, and the train option time factor in transport station to airport is twice the time.
Therefore the train from Cornwall is very unattractive.

Bristol mentioned above has a dedicated shuttle bus from temple meads so If the flight times tied in with the train times is an attractive option.

 

[Envoy]

This is where the railways really shoot themselves in the foot. People compare the time it takes, cost of fuel v tickets & airport parking. It would certainly help swing things in favour of rail travel if a period return was the same price as a day return. Why should people be charged more to make the same journey just because they are not returning on the same day? It's as if they are saying: - Ok, we know that you are going to be away for a little bit longer so we will screw more money out of you.

Throw in the fact that to get cheap advance fares, you have to book specific trains and you have the final deterrent to choosing rail travel. This is especially so for journeys to airports as the passenger does not know when they will get through immigration and be ready to commence their journey home. The alternative is to pre-book a later train & then sit on a platform (such as Reading) and watch trains go to your destination knowing that to board one will impose a penalty. Hardly a user friendly service is it?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Yes, the trains west of Exeter are incredibly slow and the roads are much faster - partly because they use more direct routes. All the more reason then to build a direct railway between Exeter & Newton Abbot and avoid the storm lashed coastal route.

It is a long way from Cornwall to the nearest airport with a reasonable number of destinations - Bristol. I am sure that most people in Cornwall, Devon and west Dorset would like to use Exeter Airport if destinations are available at good prices.

I note that Cardiff Airport has just over 1 million passengers per year and now seems to be growing. Cardiff Airport does have a shuttle bus from Rhoose station - which is 1 mile from the terminal. This rail option is the quickest way by public transport from the Airport to Bridgend & points west. (Cardiff Airport also has the Welsh Government funded bus link direct to the city centre every 20 minutes).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff_Airport

Funny you should mention Cardiff airport, as I've often wondered if there'd ever be a case for a car ferry across the Bristol channel. In my younger days I worked at Taunton Deane MSA and the number of Welsh accents heard was remarkable! Was there ever a ferry historically I wonder?

 

[Envoy]

Funny you should mention Cardiff airport, as I've often wondered if there'd ever be a case for a car ferry across the Bristol channel. In my younger days I worked at Taunton Deane MSA and the number of Welsh accents heard was remarkable! Was there ever a ferry historically I wonder?

A car ferry did of course exist between Beachley & Aust - until the Severn Bridge opened in 1966. Cars were also transported on trains from Severn Tunnel Junction.

At one time, a passenger hovercraft operated between Weston & Penarth.

In 2011, a company issued plans for Fast Cats to operate in the Bristol Channel. Their web site has never been removed -even though nothing has come of this proposal. http://www.severnlink.com

Taunton Deane is just over an hour from Cardiff so it would (& is) common for people from Wales to use these services. (Most Cardiff people do not have a Welsh accent but you would definitely recognise those from the valleys & further west by their accents).

The most viable route for a car ferry would probably be between Swansea & Illfracombe as the Second Severn Crossing and M49 shortened the journey between the south west & Wales. A Fast Cat service - similar to those from Portsmouth to the IOW, may be successful. On the Welsh side, Cardiff - with its excellent shopping area would be the main attraction. Swansea does not have an attractive city centre - though plans exist for improvements.

An hourly direct (all stops) train service exists between Cardiff & Taunton. It is really slow going and takes around 2 hours to do the entire trip - usually in a terrible 150.

The Waverley & Balmoral operate services in the Bristol Channel in summer. http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/plan-your-trip/bristol-channel/

Plans for a barrage incorporating a tidal power station, have existed for many years. This would run from Lavernock Point (near Penarth) to Brean Down (Weston). A road on top would provide a useful short cut. No mention has been made of a railway & I bet nobody has thought about protecting possible routes as links on either side of the estuary. The latest thinking is Tidal Lagoons - where water is impounded & then flows out through turbines. I really do wonder if this is such a good idea as surely, the water within the lagoon will have suspended mud/sand that will settle out and thus gradually render the thing useless. http://www.severnestuary.net/sep/resource.html

 

[sciisfun]

I have just been on Google Earth and see that development is taking place to the north & west of the airfield.

The title of this tread was a surprise to say the least (having worked/studded up at the academy for the last 4 years)
The work that is being carried out that you are speaking of I think is the skypark (is its right by the runway) further out is cranbrook station/estate (which you can't buy tickets from Exeter central self service machines, but you can from st davids and digby!)
not enough passengers to justify replacing the bus service from exd, and would mean travailing on the infrequent SWT services, or GWR running a shuttle service (which I expect would also be infrequent and either a 153 or 150/0 which I expect would both struggle with any real amount of luggage!)

 

[HowardGWR]

It costs me around £20 to drive to Exeter Airport (4 gallons of fuel should fuel prices change considerably).... I understand a fairly decent percentage of Exeter airport users are from Cornwall.

What are they still selling petrol in gallons down there? Seriously, what do you do when you get to the pump? Stand there converting it all back into gallons?

I think @Envoy hit the nail very squarely on the head about the cost of off-peak returns and day returns. Just as daft is that you can book your air ticket almost a year in advance (I've booked a trip for next September) but you can't book the rail ticket to get to the airport at the same time. The result is that we were content to book rather inconvenient flights from Bristol to Pisa (using car and park) whereas with a cheap deal combining rail and air from Gatwick, we might have chosen that.

The rail companies (including Eurostar, sadly) are still living in the dark ages. I suppose as long as they can still fill their trains, they won't worry.

I sympathise with your experience to Exeter. I suspect that rail / shuttle to Lulsgate could often give you many more choices and I am sure cheaper air prices to boot.

 

[richw]

What are they still selling petrol in gallons down there? Seriously, what do you do when you get to the pump? Stand there converting it all back into gallons?

Funny enough there is a rural garage a few miles from here selling in gallons.
My car only gives a mile per gallon rating, I don't need to do anything at the pump, its an easy straight forward calculation after filling up.

At present fuel is around £1 a litre- so £4.54 a gallon. call it £4.50 a gallon for approximation.