A HORSE can pull one ton on a road, eight tons on rail (and 80 tons on water). so why do we therefore put all our traffic on the most inefficient method, the roads?

Strange that the Continent still considers rail and tram travel to be viable. Given that the track-bed mostly exists from Plymouth through to Exeter via Tavistock and Okehampton what an asset its restoration could be, if only someone would get on with it! How stupid that houses were allowed to be built on such an asset.

Not only would it provide an alternative route to Exeter and beyond but also a regular light tramway service to Plymouth.

Railways are a pleasant means of travel, which encourages their use. John Prescott professes to want to get traffic off the road, yet nothing constructive happens. Departments are even allowed to work against one another.

The closure of Tavistock Magistrates' Court means more people having to travel to Plymouth.

Talking about pleasant railways, restored railways add an element of nostalgia. Dartmoor has the potential for one of the most spectacular restored railways in England were the line to Princetown to be restored. Is there any interested group around?

Terence Scarborough

1 Upland

Tavistock

MAY I say thank you for publishing my letter about exploring the possibilities of reopening the line between Bere Alston and Okehampton, also to Mr Cotton and Mr Fryer for their constructive comments in last week's Times.

The case for reopening is not just to provide rural transport between Plymouth and Exeter, (although of course it would do this) but to have another main line in and out of Devon and Cornwall, as there was some years ago.

This would not only provide relief for the present overstretched main line and act as an alternative should the cliffs and the sea do their worst at Teignmouth and Dawlish, but would also encourage people to visit this wonderful part of Devon.

Of course, it will be expensive, but nothing like as much as tunnelling under Dartmoor, even if this were allowed. Like Mr Fryer I wish that there were some sort of group that could take this up, although I do feel this should happen at county council level to ensure that both the Government and local MPs take notice.

I have written to 16 West Country MPs so far, plus the Transport Minister, some are interested, some have merely referred it back to our local MP, even though it could benefit their constituencies and others have yet to reply. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, happens!

Paul Mercer

Ivy Cottage

Peter Tavy