General Discussion
Railway Long Grass
Excellent news. Even this damned Government, in it's rattling death throes, couldn't pretend that it had found new money to fund this.
Michael. Yes It Is a good day, so why dont they now make the Dawlish Sea Wall higher the whole way. Surely that would be a better Idea. Plus Breakwaters. And It would not cost anywhere near the figure given. But the Plymouth MP`S wont like this will they?
Anne Marie Morris argued such a case in Westminster 26 Feb 2014. She pointed out it is also a flood defence for 951 properties in Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Starcross and Cockwood.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm140226/halltext/140226h0001.htm
'We must look seriously at what can be done to support the railway line. I hope the Minister addresses that in his remarks. There is new technology that will allow a secondary wall to be put on the external front, with wave-breaking technologies that will reduce any damage. There is also the potential for a breakwater to be put further out. I believe that has been done in Sidmouth and Plymouth. I see no reason why it should not be considered in Dawlish. Indeed, from conversations I had with Network Rail last year, I understand that it was already under review. However, I thought 2019 was too late and simply not an adequate answer.
The Dawlish station footfall, believe it or not, is 480,564 people per year. That is the 2012 figure, the most recent I could find. Over the past 10 years, the footfall through Dawlish has risen by 81%. The footfall for Teignmouth is 566,528 individuals a year—again, that is the 2012 figure—and that has seen growth of 98%. If we add the footfall in Newton Abbot, the number is similar to that in Exeter St Davids or Plymouth, so this is not a small rural area. It is a significant part of the south-west, with a significant local economy, much of which is driven by tourism, and it is absolutely crucial that the Government support it.'
So the Westminster has been made aware. However, Anne Marie needs to keep pressure on to ensure that Dawlish and others get what they need, a railway that can be used all year round. Only when that can be secured will we truely be safe from the threat of a second line being pushed for by the likes of Plymouth.
There will be very many property owners (ill conceived Tavistock council offices et al built on the line excepted) in mid-Devon rejoicing if the Oke-Tavy line is actually reconnected.
Also, at least Plymouth will be able to rejoice in having an alternative line for whenever there are disruptions ANYWHERE on the South Devon line and cheaper fares by a competing SWT line. i.e. Just look at the lower fares to Exeter via Salisbury c.f. Reading.
Meanwhile Newton A, Torbay and Totnes - they will have to soldier on as is with no extra line to guarantee their services- a lovely Christmas gift for them so happy days to all 
.
Perhaps Clive, on that note we can all put this long discussion about railway routes to bed and wait to see what happens after the general election.
Perhaps, naively, the celebrations shouldn't have started quite so early! Councillors tonight received the same information but with a lot more added to celebrate 'a good day for Dawlish'.
Announcements were made last week that clearly indicated that the Dawlish line was the preferred option and I too thought that could be cause for celebration but, working so closely to central Government for too many years, I realised that could so easily change at the whim of a number of ministers and polictical and public pressure.
We we still need to keep fighting the good fight!
Instead of talking in riddles, just state in plain English to those of us who haven't worked closely with central government, just what you're blathering on about. Thanks. At least it seems that you've changed your tune about a DAL.
Though the the wind is forecast to change direction tomorrow...
I thought I had spoken in plain Engish. Perhaps tomorrow morning it will be cleared for you.