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Improved Barnstaple Service Hides Cuts At Smaller Tarka Line Stations

Thu, 01/15/2009 - 07:49 — Lee Fletcher

In December 2008, as a result of partnership between Devon County Council, First Great Western and North Devon Rail Users Group, an hourly service was introduced on the Barnstaple line.

I fully support this concept, as it is an important step towards ensuring the viability of the line into the future. However, I am concerned that there has actually been a REDUCTION in services at some stations on the route:

CHAPELTON – 8 services per weekday reduced to 5.
PORTSMOUTH ARMS – 8 services per weekday reduced to 7.

At Portsmouth Arms, this has resulted in 1 of the 2 evening peak services from Barnstaple being removed. At Chapelton, both have been removed. The “benefit” of this is some negligible journey time savings.

Both stations survived a closure proposal contained in the Jacobs Consultancy Greater Western Franchise Outline Business Case Report (see pages 212 & 213 of the link below.)
http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/responses/2006/september06/swindonwestburytrai...

Quote:

“The withdrawal of stops north of Eggesford will allow retiming of trains to arrive earlier at Barnstaple and depart later. This will increase turnrounds and will be a performance benefit.”

Some of those on the ground appear to agree. A while back, I asked a member of the North Devon Rail Users Group for their view:

"It's fair to say that the Jacobs Report has caused more than a little disquiet amongst the group. My personal opinion is that there is more than one station which serves no useful purpose and could probably be closed without causing significant hardship.

However, I certainly don't think it's the role of a User Group to propose station closures: if FGW, Network Rail or the DfT came along with a couple of closures in mind we'll look at the proposals and give a considered opinion. We couldn't agree to any closures without a guarantee of compensating improvements in the service, though."

Whilst I am not suggesting that the user group has been involved in such discussions, I cant help but wonder whether a process that could lead to that is underway now.