The verdict is in – does North Devon want the Bideford railway to reopen?

Almost 800 people have responded to the North Devon Gazette’s poll asking if they were in favour of reopening the Bideford to Barnstaple railway line.

The results were somewhat surprising, with just over three quarters of the 784 who took our online survey saying they would like to see the line reopen – 76.9 per cent said yes and 23.1 per cent said no.

Our survey contained seven questions and 43.2 per cent of those who completed it were aged 65 years and over – a total of 339 people. The 55 to 64 age group saw 193 people take part, or 24.6 per cent.

Exactly 100 people (12.8 per cent) were in the 45 to 54 age range and 88 people were in the 35 to 44 bracket (11.2 per cent).

The numbers dropped sharply in the younger age ranges, with 42 people (5.4 per cent) in the 25 to 34 range, 14 (1.8 per cent) in the 18 to 24 rage and only eight (one per cent) aged under 18.

We also asked readers to email us if they wished with any further comments they wanted to add and paradoxically, those responses were more evenly balanced.

Of the 25 emails received, 12 were in favour. Of the other 13, most were strongly opposed or had grave reservations the scheme would be possible.

The bid to reopen the line has been discussed for some years and divided opinion on local social media – those championing the scheme say it would bring huge economic benefits to the area and be a great benefit to students, business people, locals and holidaymakers.

Those opposed question where the quoted £400 to £500million cost would come from and ask how a new line could run alongside the Tarka Trail, which now uses the original track bed.

The rest of the survey questions saw an almost identical split to the main question, with 75.6 per cent saying yes to ‘do you think it would bring significant economic benefits to the area?’ and 75.4 per cent saying they would use the line if it reopened.

However, when asked if a reopened line would make a difference to their own lives for work, education or please, 62.9 per cent said yes and 37.1 per cent said no.

Running the line beside the Tarka Trail would benefit the trail, according to 70.9 per cent, with 29.1 per cent believing it would not. A larger 79.8per cent said they would be willing to accept a rerouting of parts of the trail if necessary, with only 20.2 per cent opposed.

Reader comments via email were far more evenly split. James Stuttard said: “This is a must for North Devon, Bideford and its children are completely isolated from mainstream transport. It will bring commerce, businesses and more families looking to relocate to the area.”

Stuart McCabe-Bell added: “I fully support the reopening to Bideford given all the growth pressures in North Devon. I travel to London perhaps twice a month and it is ridiculous that myself and others are forced to drive all the way to Tiverton Parkway.

“If time allows, I do use the line by joining at Umberleigh but again, an hourly service is just completely unacceptable between Barnstaple and Exeter, at present.”

Roger Moseley said: “The proposal gets my vote. Devon has been able to reopen the Okehampton route, plus new stations like Cranbrook, Newcourt, Marsh Barton (and additional one at Okehampton to come).

“The existing Tarka Line’s growth is well-known. All these have been success stories, predicted growth being far exceeded. Don’t wait for Tarka Line infrastructure upgrades, pushing ahead with Bideford will add more weight to the upgrades.

Chris Fairley commented: “I like the idea of extending Barnstaple to Bideford and think that it would be good for the area with regard to bringing economic benefits to the region, providing a vital link to Barnstaple while avoiding traffic congestion and enabling passengers to travel on to Exeter and beyond by train.

“There would also be environmental benefits in terms of reducing traffic on the roads etc.”

But he did go on to say any reopening would require improving the existing Barnstaple to Exeter line first and suggested if up to £500m were available it would be better spent upgrading that line.

Paul Ousley was not in favour. He said: “I think that the estimated cost of £400-500 million would be better spent on our roads, not least to deal with the number of potholes that drivers and bikers encounter on a daily basis.

“I also am wondering if having a railway line alongside the existing Tarka Trail might be a health and safety issue, as lots of people, including young families use the trail.”

Lindsey Shaw said: “My main complaint is it doesn’t go to Bideford and there is no parking at East-the-Water.

“It will cost a fortune, will be incredibly disruptive; for example how will they get the thousands of tonnes of aggregate needed to the site and will be a white elephant. Have a dedicated express bus route instead.”

Pat Hughes said: “I think that the idea for the Bideford to Barnstaple railway line is not realistic.

“If money is to be raised and spent it should be on the Tarka Barnstaple to Exeter Line. More carriages. More often and later train services.

“All this effort could be used to enhance local Bideford local services.”

Councillor Teresa Tinsley, Torridge District Council member for Bideford North, said she was not opposed to the idea of a new rail link in principle, but having read the feasibility report, she felt it was not feasible.

She added: “In summary, the red flags for me are the siting of Bideford Station, the insubstantiality of assurances regarding the Tarka Trail and the quality of the public debate being generated around what is a highly challenging, high-risk, and expensive scheme in a constrained and sensitive corridor.”

The North Devon Gazette will continue to cover this topic and report any developments to you as they happen, but in the meantime you are always welcome to air your views on our letters page – email letters@northdevongazette.co.uk

Below: The full percentage breakdown of our Bideford railway poll questions.