FIRST WORK TO START ON LYNTON & BARNSTAPLE EXTENSION

Work is about to begin on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway’s extension to Wistlandpound, thanks to grant funding which will enable it to rebuild two bridges.

A £60,000 grant from the LEADER 5 Rural Development Programme is to help repair Bridges 54 and 55 on the section between Blackmoor and Wistlandpound, for which planning permission was granted by North Devon Council in June 2016, with the L&B funding the balance to complete the job.

The work involves rebuilding Bridge 54’s abutments, with new foundations, reinforced concrete bridge decks and handrails.

L&B Chairman Peter Miles said: “Bridge 55 is in better condition and essentially needs a new deck and sundry repairs.”

Work is expected to start in January, with completion scheduled for the summer.

There are various conditions on the planning approvals granted by Exmoor National Park, which require funding to be identified and all trackbed acquired before work starts.

However, no such condition exists on the section under NDC’s jurisdiction, although some planning conditions are under discussion.