Tavistock Re-opening News

[Bald Rick]

The logic that says Tavistock (or other UK infrastructure projects) is too expensive needs challenging.

Well, quite. Although I would argue that value for money is more important than ‘expensive’.

 

[Xavi]

That is the problem when people become inured to many millions of pounds as being some sort of norm.

£40m is a tiny fraction of total government expenditure and immediate critical infrastructure investment. Today alone I’ve worked on 2 projects (contracts not yet signed) that will cost £15-20bn.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

£40m is a tiny fraction of total government expenditure and immediate critical infrastructure investment. Today alone I’ve worked on 2 projects (contracts not yet signed) that will cost £15-20bn.

I was making reference to the Treasury. When your contracts are signed, then the stated monies will be in reality, but at this moment in time, they have no intrinsic value.

 

[Dr Day]

£40m is a tiny fraction of total government expenditure and immediate critical infrastructure investment. Today alone I’ve worked on 2 projects (contracts not yet signed) that will cost £15-20bn.

It isn’t just the one off construction cost though, it is also the ongoing difference between the cost of operating the service and the revenue received that needs funding commitment.

 

[Xavi]

It isn’t just the one off construction cost though, it is also the ongoing difference between the cost of operating the service and the revenue received that needs funding commitment.

And the ongoing benefits too.

 

[DDB]

This has made the "not HS2" list of schemes.

We will deliver rail improvements in the South West. We will reopen stations and reintroduce rail passenger services to Wellington and Cullompton, reinstate five miles of track and a new station at Tavistock to connect it with Plymouth. Alongside this, we will put aside funding to complete the South West Resilience Programme in full, delivering on our commitment to the South West to make the vital route between Exeter and Plymouth through Dawlish more resilient in the face of extreme weather.

 

[brad465]

How close to happening anyway is the Tavistock reinstatement?

 

[Busaholic]

This has made the "not HS2" list of schemes.

If the Tory high command think that Tavistock's MP Sir Geoffrey Cox's majority of 24,992 (60.1% of the vote) is under threat then they're in bigger trouble than even I realised!

 

[BrianW]

This has made the "not HS2" list of schemes.

DDB- this sounds like it's from a formal source; can it be attributed? Is there a definitive list?

 

[snowball]

DDB- this sounds like it's from a formal source; can it be attributed? Is there a definitive list?

Find out about every new transport project in your region

As a result of the decision to scrap the extension of HS2, every region will now receive investment in the modes of transport that matter to you most.

www.gov.uk

Find out about every new transport project in your region

As a result of the decision to scrap the extension of HS2, every region will now receive investment in the modes of transport that matter to you most.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

If the Tory high command think that Tavistock's MP Sir Geoffrey Cox's majority of 24,992 (60.1% of the vote) is under threat then they're in bigger trouble than even I realised!

MP for British Virgin Islands North I think you mean - notoriously absentee MP. It was LD 1997-2005, however.

'Tavistock Times' story

Tavistock Times

Devon County Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: "I'm delighted and relieved after so many years pressing for this to happen. This is a huge investment in West Devon. It is a great vote of confidence in the county council and my transport team, justifying the professional case that's been made to the Department of Transport on behalf of the people of West Devon.
"This immediately unlocks investment in the area which will bring benefits such as jobs with businesses attracted to an area with improved transport links. More tourists will be able to come to visit the area of outstanding natural beauty and Dartmoor, so helping tourism and visitor numbers.

 

[BrianW]

Find out about every new transport project in your region

As a result of the decision to scrap the extension of HS2, every region will now receive investment in the modes of transport that matter to you most.

www.gov.uk

Thank you; prompt too. 'Interesting' that it's 'badged' as Network North.

 

[Snow1964]

Tavistock is in part 71, says reinstate 5 miles of track, new station at Tavistock to connect it to Plymouth

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/651d64646a6955000d78b2e0/network-north-transforming-british-transport.pdf

 

[BrianW]

Tavistock is in part 71, says reinstate 5 miles of track, new station at Tavistock to connect it to Plymouth

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/651d64646a6955000d78b2e0/network-north-transforming-british-transport.pdf

The Network North map appears to show a Tavistock-Plymouth line bending to the east, sort of via Yelverton rather than Bere Alston.
And a line between Cullompton and Wellington rather than claiming better serving of communities between Exeter and Taunton?
Definitely a cobbled together dossier of a wish-list.

 

[Freightmaster]

Definitely a cobbled together dossier of a wish-list.

Sounds like another 'dodgy dossier' the me...





MARK

 

[D Williams]

How close to happening anyway is the Tavistock reinstatement ?

Strategic Outline Business Case submitted for reopening Tavistock to Plymouth rail line - News

The Strategic Outline Business Case for the reopening of the Tavistock to Plymouth rail line has been submitted.

www.devon.gov.uk

Devon County Council has been getting hold of funding for engineering investigations and feasibility studies for some years. There is a full blown report circulating somewhere but it falls short of the arrangements for integration with the existing line to Gunnislake. As a part of the planned major expansion of Tavistock the property developer was supposed to make a hefty contribution.

 

[Purple Train]

If only it was written in something a bit better than hastily-rubbed-out crayon...

If this gets the line any closer to re-opening, I shall eat my hat. Wasn't it stated on the other thread that NR weren't consulted on the proposed improvements?

 

[Bald Rick]

How close to happening anyway is the Tavistock reinstatement ?

Tavistock is a long way off, if ever, despite today’s announcement.

 

[brad465]

Strategic Outline Business Case submitted for reopening Tavistock to Plymouth rail line - News

The Strategic Outline Business Case for the reopening of the Tavistock to Plymouth rail line has been submitted.

www.devon.gov.uk

Devon County Council has been getting hold of funding for engineering investigations and feasibility studies for some years. There is a full blown report circulating somewhere but it falls short of the arrangements for integration with the existing line to Gunnislake. As a part of the planned major expansion of Tavistock the property developer was supposed to make a hefty contribution.

Wellington & Cullompton are pretty close.

Tavistock is a long way off, if ever, despite today’s announcement.

Thank you both for confirming.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Strategic Outline Business Case submitted for reopening Tavistock to Plymouth rail line - News

The Strategic Outline Business Case for the reopening of the Tavistock to Plymouth rail line has been submitted.

www.devon.gov.uk

Devon County Council has been getting hold of funding for engineering investigations and feasibility studies for some years. There is a full blown report circulating somewhere but it falls short of the arrangements for integration with the existing line to Gunnislake. As a part of the planned major expansion of Tavistock the property developer was supposed to make a hefty contribution.

The Kilbride Group original proposals for 750 to 800 houses were around the 2008-2010 time period, which continued for some years with discussion meetings with Devon County Council.

 

[RPI]

It will be interesting to see if this actually happens, though an awful lot of work has already been done on the planning etc, maybe low hanging fruit for the government to be seen to be re using the HS2 money

 

[Bald Rick]

It will be interesting to see if this actually happens, though an awful lot of work has already been done on the planning etc, maybe low hanging fruit for the government to be seen to be re using the HS2 money

an awful lot of work hasn’t happened On the planning etc. even if the money magically appeared today, it would be at least 4 years before you saw a shovel.

 

[Brush 4]

https://www.cornish-times.co.uk/new...ock-to-bere-alston-rail-link-announced-642446

All good stuff, despite what the Grumpy Brigade on here say (about all rail plans).
Indeed, it will take at least 4 years before spades in the ground, Sunaks pet phrase at the moment. Doesn't matter, these things are always slow to start, but once the gangs are unleashed, they will do the same excellent job they've done at Okehampton, E-W, Levenmouth and elsewhere. Although HS2 and these other rail projects should both have happened, I was hoping that Tavistock would benefit from an HS2 cancellation. The HS2 debacle has made us even more of a laughing stock abroad than we already were but, as consolation prizes go this is a good one, along with the others announced. Political cynicism is certainly justified but, I just can't see Devon CC allowing this one to falter now. The forthcoming General Election will spur the Tavistock Tory MP to keep it alive and when Labour win, they are far more likely to cancel some of the road schemes than 'green' rail schemes. Onward and upward, the pressure to fill the gap will now increase dramatically. Plymouth to Exeter via Tavistock and Okehampton by 2060......

 

[uglymonkey]

They have been talking about reopening Tavistock since at least 1991. All the reports and consultations, must be making someone a fortune! Brunel would have built it by now.

 

[Purple Train]

The Network North map appears to show a Tavistock-Plymouth line bending to the east, sort of via Yelverton rather than Bere Alston.

I mean, most of it is Drake's Trail - but the rail service would have to use a fleet of tandems!

 

[RPI]

an awful lot of work hasn’t happened On the planning etc. even if the money magically appeared today, it would be at least 4 years before you saw a shovel.

I get that, but I meant that it's not like a scheme thats been purely plucked out of the air, it was already still in the Restoring your railway scheme.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

SunakRail plc. Constructors and operators of new line with Wellington at one end and Cullompton at the other, served by a shuttle every 20 minutes and completely unconnected to the rest of the network.

There was a historical precedent of a railway unconnected to the rest of the rail network in that part of England, which any rail historian worth his salt knows as the Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway.

 

[Mag_seven]

Can we get back to the topic of this thread which is Tavistock Re-opening News

If anyone wants to discuss anything else then they are welcome to start a new thread elsewhere.

 

[CptCharlee]

Gunnislake will continue as a separate 2 hourly as is service. Calling at usual stopping pattern. However an hourly Plymouth to Tavistock service calling at Devonport, Dockyard, Keyham St Budeaux Bere Ferres, Bere Alston and then Tavistock will also run

Network Rail have already done some initial work into a new Signalling System at Bere Alston that they believe will be able to facilitate the new hourly service and maintaining the Gunnislake service. Further extentions to Ivybridge/Newton Abbott are the long term plans with a station in Plympton. Turnback facilities at Ivybridge were mentioned as far future goal. Basically a new Devon Metro service.

If you could get a Tavistock to Ivybridge service every 30 minutes would be a game changer for the Plymouth area. But you aren't getting half hourly on that Tamar Valley line without serious upgrades.