SENIOR decision makers from the rail industry have visited West Devon to discuss the possibility of reopening the railway between Tavistock and Bere Alston. The meeting, facilitated by West Devon Borough Council, included a walk along several sections of the five and a half mile route, which was closed in 1968. Leading the team was Chris Austin, executive director of Community Rail at the Strategic Rail Authority, along with representatives from Network Rail, Wessex Trains, Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership. It is the first time since the rail link closed that senior rail executives have visited the site of the line to examine the case for its reinstatement. The Tamar Valley line ? which runs between Plymouth and Gunnislake ? is a pilot project for the Government?s Community Rail Development Strategy, designed to increase the number of passengers using local and rural lines, to reduce the cost of running them and to involve the local community much more closely in their promotion and development. One element of the pilot project will be to examine the case for reinstatement using innovative funding and operational methods. The party was hosted by borough councillor and retired railwayman Robin Pike together with David Incoll, West Devon Borough Council chief executive and John Lewis, the council?s regeneration officer. Tim Davies, manager of the Transport Co-ordination Service for Devon County Council also attended. Cllr Pike said he was encouraged by the positive comments of the rail officials. He said: ?To reopen this stretch of line would be a tremendous achievement and bring in enormous economic and environmental benefits to Tavistock and its area. ?However, there remains much to be done on the planning and finance side of the project and I hope this meeting will encourage all parties to work towards the goal of reopening the line.?
