Is the Looe Valley line better off closed with buses and a cycle path instead?

[brad465]

I'm opening a right can of worms with this, but the current closure for engineering work gave me the idea. The RRBs seem to be traversing the route at a comparable journey time to the branch service, and slightly faster than an all stations pattern train service (24 mins RRB, vs 26-29 mins train). Normally buses would be much slower, but in this case I suspect the Coombe Jct reversal and low speed limit across the branch make the bus slightly faster. If the line was therefore closed with a bus service taking over that had a partnership/connection promotion, would this do a better job at moving passengers?

Meanwhile a cycle path taking over the trackbed through the valley could be very attractive for cyclists, who avoid the very hilly roads and have a very scenic path to enjoy.

I suspect the main problems are whether summer demand is harder to manage in this way, plus of course how difficult politically closing lines is.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It might be worth looking at if Cornish buses end up fully regulated, but the problem with doing this sort of thing now is that a commercial or Council tendered bus service will often just disappear after a few years, the railway is the only way at present for the service to be near enough guaranteed to be there.

 

[yorksrob]

No, I don't think so. You'd end up with another Padstow situation hurtling around unsuitable roads.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Nah, the line needs investment.

Points / signalling at Coombe Jcn. controlled from Liskeard SB (or wherever replaces it), rather than the current arrangement.

P & R at Moorswater, just off the A38, St Ives style.

Extension of the line at the Looe end to the town bridge.

 

[cactustwirly]

I think it's the case with a lot of rural branch lines, it would be politically very difficult especially with all the consultations

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Rail Replacement buses only have to serve the places served by the trains, either at or near the stations. A bus service, even if it started out as a limited-stop run, would end up having stops added after lobbying from councillors and become just another bus service, losing the speed advantage.
A bus is competitive in January, it won't be in July and August with all the tourist traffic.

 

[Trainlog]

I reckon it should remain a National Rail line, but like the West Highland (Fort William to Mallaig), Settle and Carlisle (to an extent), and the Esk Valley (Grosmont to Whitby), it should have more tourist opportunities with occasional heritage railway-style services, such as some steam and heritage diesel shuttles.

It's currently being discussed over on the 'Why don't heritage railways make an effort to sell diesel traction thread' but there is a lot of interest surrounding should the GWR diesel railcar eventually be able to do the Looe branch offseason for a weekend if its first venture outside of Didcot Railway Centre to the East Somerset Railway is successful.

The line in the past 16 years has seen some steam railtours down there, a 94xx and the GWR railmotor have done so, and with the latter being wooden bodied, I don't see why, despite the time gap since the last tours, it shouldn't be considered to run down the line off season.

Why don’t heritage railways make an effort to “sell” diesel traction?

For whatever reason, 4472/60103 has always attracted much more than its fair share of attention. I doubt that there would be so much interest from "normals" in a diesel unit, even one as old as W22W. And trespassers on a single track branch line, where the only train running is the one the...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Mikey C]

Where Looe has an advantage over some of the other west country branch lines, is in its location near to a major city. It's a very easy day trip from Plymouth, and the journey, is part of the fun. Indeed a lot more interesting than many heritage railways.

 

[Llanigraham]

Nah, the line needs investment.

Points / signalling at Coombe Jcn. controlled from Liskeard SB (or wherever replaces it), rather than the current arrangement.

Does the current arrangement make that much difference?

P & R at Moorswater, just off the A38, St Ives style.

Good idea, considering the parking in Looe.

Extension of the line at the Looe end to the town bridge.

Why? Firstly there is a slightly important local amenity in the way, and secondly it isn't that far to walk, so does it matter?

 

[jayah]

It might be worth looking at if Cornish buses end up fully regulated, but the problem with doing this sort of thing now is that a commercial or Council tendered bus service will often just disappear after a few years, the railway is the only way at present for the service to be near enough guaranteed to be there.

The Liskeard bus uses a single vehicle country lane with passing places.

Direct buses to Plymouth take 75mins, not a remotely attractive proposition.

The only result from closing the line would be horrendous summer traffic problems, although the almost unused halt at Coombe Jn should be closed.

 

[alf]

In the late 1960’s the line was shortened from its superb Looe centre location so that a petrol station could be built.
It would be nice to see the line re extended with the petrol station replaced by electric charging points in the town.
A bonus for those with walking difficulties & with buggies