I REFER to the letter headed 'We need a decent rail service' (January 18).

The letter appears to be somewhat inaccurate as, for example, a large part of the Bere Alston line is in private ownership and part is used for timber extraction. I am aware that, recently, a survey of this part of the line took place but the results have not been made public.

In my unqualified opinion the bridges, tunnels and viaducts not to mention the track bed would be expensive to restore to enable trains to operate safely. The expense of a new station in Tavistock would not be inconsiderable.

I also understand that the bridge over the Tavy estuary is in a parlous state. I have no idea how many additional passengers would use the line but the cost of reinstatement per additional passenger would, I believe, be extremely high. One wonders whether any such economic criteria will be used in determining the outcome.

A more radical solution, given that the M5 ends at Exeter, the present railway line is relatively slow from Exeter, would be to tunnel under Dartmoor from the west of Haldon Hill to Ivybridge. The coastal line would continue to be used for local service. If the European railways can tunnel under the Alps why not Railtrack under Dartmoor?

Jeremy Cotton

Mount Tamar

Rumleigh

IT is good that the re-opening of the Bere Alston to Tavistock railway line is being talked about. I'm afraid to say that is all that seems to happen —talk! This has been going on since 1989 — longer than it took to get the line built in the first place.

Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council and Wales and West Trains are all in favour of it. Only Railtrack is against.

Large sections of the trackbed are for sale. West Devon wants to relocate to new premises, a new Railfreight depot is planned for Okehampton and one could be built at Pitts Cleave Industrial Estate near Tavistock.

To get from Bere Alston to Tavistock one bridge, a section of embankment and a new station are required. From Tavistock to Okehampton is a little trickier and will require demolition of some houses and part of West Devon Borough Council offices, the remainder of which will make a new station.

What is required is for someone or a group to take the idea forward and really start pushing the project. So, how about it? Anyone interested in kick-starting the project?

Stephen Fryer

The Little Friary

Modyford Walk

Buckland Monachorum