IN this time of austerity a low cost solution to restore the Tavistock rail system to use rapidly, is a guided busway — an ordinary 45-seater single decker can, for £10k, have a guide system attached to the front wheels, so it can travel on the adapted rail track, and come back to Tavistock on its road route. Meanwhile, the train company can increase the number of trains per day in the Plymouth-Bere Alston corridor, to match demand. If an attempt is made to restore the line fully to run trains on it to Network Rail standards, huge annual costs are incurred to maintain this standard, requiring subsidy and high ticket prices. However, if a guided busway of recycled tyre rubber forms the new track-bed, it will be maintenance-free for 50 years, and cost around £4 to £5-million to complete. This can allow support for the bus operator to buy in the new vehicles. This puts Tavistock in the position of opening up the system for use cheaply, and giving it flexible options for the future, and is quicker to deliver. A low cost solution to bring the Tavistock to Bere Alston rail line into use as a 21st century transport system. The line was originally shut because it was unviable as a rail system; 50 years on things have changed, better transport routes are needed into Plymouth, the basic infrastructure is there. Restoring back to rail and maintaining at present is too expensive. Therefore a guided busway system should be considered. Areas of saving: l No station needed at Abbotsfield area, only a bus stop, shelter and car parking facility for Park and Ride to Plymouth. l No rails or sleepers laid, only re-cycled rubber track bed, its wear life 50 years plus. l Guided busway 45 seat single deckers, cheaper than trains. l No Network Rail annual maintenance charges. l These units can pick up bus passengers going back to Tavistock. l Over 50% cost of a rail solution, so if a house builder is going to support this, 50% less houses need to be built. l Only 200 to 300 houses needed to pay for it, less road congestion. J Toland Horrabridge