EEC/08/274/HQ Environment, Economy and Culture Overview/Scrutiny Committee 11 November 2008

Conversion of Disused Rail Lines to Trails

Report of the Executive Director of Environment, Economy and Culture

1. Background/Introduction

This report follows a similar item to the Committee on 10 September 2007.

The County Council has over the past 20 years lead, with partners, an extremely successful policy of conversion of former railway lines into trails. The primary examples include 32miles/48kms of the ‘Tarka Trail’ between Braunton and Meeth, the ‘Granite Way’ between and Lydford 9miles/14kms and the ‘Plym Valley Path’ 7miles/11km between Plymouth and Clearbrook. These routes have been designated part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) in the county and route development work continues, for example between Meeth, Hatherleigh and the and boundary near Bude.

The conversion of former railway lines to trails helps to meet a number of key policy priorities which include the development of the rural economy and assisting the development of our key strategies for climate change, health and fitness, and congestion.

It has long been a key priority of the County Council’s policies for enhancement of the rural economy to develop these former rail lines especially for rural leisure and recreation. The securing of Objective 2 funding in 2001 to the north and west of the county for the ‘Path to Prosperity’ is clear evidence of the success of this policy.

More recently, added impetus has been evident as a response to climate change and the growing awareness of sustainable forms of transport.

The development of former railway routes lines as trails is also part of our strategy for tackling congestion with links and journeys to schools being an integral part of our approach.

The increased awareness of the health agenda, the dangers of obesity and the importance of regular exercise has been an additional factor in the development of trails.

Since disused rail lines offer largely level, traffic free and direct links between communities this makes them highly attractive for use by less experienced or novice cycle users.

2. Conversion Categories

The disused rail lines in Devon that have not been converted to cycle/walkways fall into two principal categories.

(i) Those lines where sections have been substantially built on or where the track- bed and other critical infrastructure has been removed altogether. These often occur in towns; including for example the former branch line through Alphington Exeter closed in 1958, the line to the Strand in Barnstaple; in Tiverton town centre; in Tavistock the former closed like many others in the 1960’s. The line from Buckfastleigh to Ashburton is a further example outside a town. This fragmentation of these former lines renders the opportunities for developing them as trails prohibitively expensive or simply not achievable due to subsequent development of highway infrastructure, industrial, commercial and residential development on the land as well as adjacent plots.

(ii) Those lines that offer possibilities for trail development because they have not been substantially developed or where the track bed remains largely intact. The land associated with these lines is almost always in multiple private ownerships but usually they are undeveloped in terms of new structures or there may be a short diversion achievable around a new structure on the former railway.

It is these lines that offer opportunities for conversion. It is important to note that although short sections may have been subsequently developed there are usually options for parallel alignments either on-road or along adjacent private or public land. The use of other public rights of way such as green lanes, bridleways or the conversion of existing footpaths are other ways that can provide for continuity of a route even where there apparent ‘development barriers’ in some places.

3. Progress on Conversion and Investigation

Investigations on lines not converted There have already been investigations by the County Council and Sustrans in the past to identify opportunities for developing former railways.

Several lines that have not already been converted have been the subject of various levels of investigation in recent years. Most notably these include: (a) Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead via Lustleigh. This is the subject of a current planning application and funding is allocated to commence delivery. (b) Exeter St Davids to Tiverton along the Exe Valley; this has been the subject of a feasibility study commissioned by and Exeter City Council. (c) Sidmouth via Ottery St Mary to the Waterloo to Exeter mainline where discussions between Devon County Council, Sustrans and East Devon District Council commenced five years ago but did not progress due to funding difficulties; (d) Elburton to Yealmpton ; Following an initial scoping study by Sustrans this has been the subject of continuing discussions and negotiations regarding access and land over a number of years. (e) Bere Alston to Tavistock ; in 2006 approval was given by Executive for acquisition of the track-bed, and this is in progress. Consultations regarding the reintroduction of a train service to Tavistock with creation of a parallel trail are being carried out at present. (f) Bideford to Westward Ho! Active acquisition continues.

Development opportunities and Local Development Plans The County Council is always mindful of the opportunities to attract developer funding and this can often enhance the prospects of one route particularly if a key barrier such land acquisition, a river or main road crossing can be overcome through developer funding.

The County Council’s input into Local Development Plans can ensure that land on former railways is protected against potential development, if this impinges on the former railway in such as way as make its future use as a trail or railway very difficult or impossible.

Other former lines worthy of further study Excluding those already under conversion (see Appendix I) and those above, there a number of other disused lines that have already been identified or which are worthy of further study, including the following:

(a) Hemyock to Willand - one of the few remaining sections required for a potential Around Devon Cycle route. (b) South Brent to Kingsbridge - a link to NCN2 and one of very few remaining potential traffic free opportunities in south west Devon. (c) Budleigh Salterton to Ottery St Mary/Feniton - a link to the NCN and Jurassic Coast. (d) Lydford to Tavistock - This would be an enhancement to the popular Devon Coast to Coast NCN27 avoiding on road sections. (e) Willingcott Cross to Knowle (Braunton) - an enhancement of the existing Devon Coast to Coast NCN27 that would avoid the current hilly and circuitous on road route. This would have economic benefits for the town of Ilfracombe. (f) Tiverton to Bampton - part of the existing West Country Way NCN3 currently on a circuitous and hilly road route. (g) Axminster to Uplyme - a link to the Stop Line Way and Jurassic Coast.

Each line has its own unique challenges in terms of reinstatement required, land ownership, potential costs and proximity and access to significant population centres that will affect the likely usage and value for money in terms of demand. Of the above list a final judgement will need to be made which are the priorities as it unlikely that all could be converted within the space of the next two decades. A priority list cannot, at this stage, be drawn up without further assessment work.

4. Financial Considerations

It is not possible in the scope of this report to assess costs for each line conversion. These would need to be the subject of individual feasibility studies. The County Council is already investing heavily in creation of new cycle routes. Over the last decade the County Council has been successful in raising over £1M external funding per year and much of the construction and acquisition work on former railway routes has been carried out at no cost to the County Council.

5. Sustainability Considerations

The development of such trails has a positive effect on sustainability as they encourage walking and cycling, which are sustainable forms of transport.

6. Carbon Impact Considerations

The likely effect on carbon emissions would be a slight increase caused by construction and possible increased vehicle access but on balance they would have a positive impact as modal shift away from vehicle use was encouraged. This effect is thought to extend beyond the area of the path as people adopt cycling habits in their daily life.

7. Equality Considerations

The development of these lines would have nothing but a positive effect on our Equality policies.

8. Legal Considerations

None at this stage.

9. Options/Alternatives

No alternative options are appropriate in this case. The investigation of the conversion of former railway lines is carried out or not.

Edward Chorlton

Electoral Divisions: All

Local Government Act 1972

List of Background Papers

Contact for enquiries: Robin Bevis

Room No. AB3, Lucombe House, County Hall, Exeter

Tel No: (01392) 383223

Background Paper Date File Ref 1. The National Cycle Network in South Devon July 1998 (Report by Sustrans)

rb241008osa sc/conversion disused rl 4 hq 041108

Appendix I To EEC/08/274/HQ

1. Former railway lines (or part thereof) already converted by Devon County Council (including those with other partners such as Sustrans)

• Braunton to Barnstaple • Barnstaple to Meeth • Halwill junction –Halwill Forest • Highampton ( to A3072) • Meldon Viaduct to Southerly Halt • Bridestowe station to Lydford • Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton • Clearbrook to Coypool (Plympton)

2. Former railway lines (or part thereof) under active negotiation for conversion to cycle/walkway by Devon County Council

• Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead • Sections of line west from Holsworthy • Sections of line west from Halwill Forest • Yealmpton to Otter Nursery (Brixton) • Sections of Tavistock to Yelverton • Sections of line from Hatherleigh to Highampton