Dartmouth plans would risk viability of heritage services

A PROPOSAL to return main line services over the Dartmouth Steam Railway has been given the cold shoulder by the heritage line.

A Restoring Your Railway bid has been lodged by Conservative MPs Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) and Kevin Foster (Torbay).

Their bid for the restoration of main line trains after half a century includes access from Goodrington and Churston stations. Mr Mangall has also submitted a bid for the reopening of South Brent station (which closed in 1964) on the Exeter to Plymouth line.

He said the proposals are an opportunity to improve the transport network in South Devon in an environmentally friendly way, reducing pollution and road congestion, with better links for commuters and visitors.

However, the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company (DSRRBC) fears it would cost millions to upgrade to main line standards, possibly doubling the track to increase capacity, and it would impact on its heritage services, which run every 35 minutes in July and August, with a six-week annual closure for maintenance.

DSRRBC managing director John Jones said: “Regarding the application to Restoring Your Railway Fund, I can assure people that, as we own all of the line and associated assets, we are 100% in control with regard to supply of permission or otherwise for access or operations and any proposal that