Paul Mercer

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG @Chisholm4Trail @markannand @FgottenRelics If the railway is ever extended back to Tavistock and Bere Alston there is no way that Network Rail are going to allow a walking/cycle path right next to a line where trains may be doing 90mph even if it is only a single track with passing loops.

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG @Chisholm4Trail @markannand @FgottenRelics I Doubt if it would be possible to have a cycle path/walking trail if the railway was to be reinstated

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@BBCLauraKT Typical leftie BBC bias as usual!

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@eyejosh @AngelaRayner Utter Bul...!, Typical from a Remoaner!

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@AngelaRayner Not half as much as the far left of the Labour Party!

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@BBCFLauraKT So much for the neutral stance of the BBC!

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG @GWRHelp @networkrailwest Not if you want an electrified double track, which seems to be tour choice, even if it is only an a electrified single track with passing loops, NR will not have people traipsing around on bikes under the overheads

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG @GWRHelp @networkrailwest Try walking the Granite Way to Sourton from meldon Viaduct and you will see why it is highly unlikely that NR will let trains running up to 90mph anywhere near their track - would yo like to be on a bike with trains passing that close?

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@GoodLawProject Haven't you leftie lawyers got anything better to do?

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG @GWRHelp @networkrailwest I think the best we can hope for is a single tracked diversionary route, anything else will be a bonus, there is no way NR are going to let a cycle track run alongside a potential 90mph line. What is needed as a matter of urgency is the re doubling of the SW main line to Exeter.

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG @GWRHelp @networkrailwest The basic need is to get approval for the extension from Bere Alston to Tavistock and then back to Okehampton. Whether it is a single line with passing loops or a fully electrified main line is as secondary consideration, but the Granite Way as it stands will cease to exist.

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@AndyRoden1 @phil2hoots @networkrailwest @GWRHelp I don't think that would happen, there is no way NR are going to let a cycle track run alongside a 90mph railway, if it is ever built it will be single track in the middle of the existing formation, but the Meldon Viaduct problem still remains as it will have to be a new one.

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@AndyRoden1 @WilsonBone You are quite right with your calculations, but this problem is not limited to Cornwall, there are plenty of other places around the country where the same applies, just look at the South East for instance, higher wages yes, but higher prices too.

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@DCRailPart @AndyRoden1 Now for the rest of it back to Tavistock and Bere Alston to Plymouth!

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@PensTransport The latest disruption to the rail service from Plymouth increases the evidence needed to have a secondary route in and out of the county, the 'Northern route must be reinstated ASAP

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG One small point, if Scotland does go independent it is rumored that the nuclear subs and all that goes with them will be relocated to Plymouth,
A second route then becomes vital

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG @DevonCC @CllrAndreaDavis @garystreeterSWD I Don't think it matters too much where the funding comes from, ultimately it is the Government who will decide whether or not to reinstate the line. If they can find over 100 billion for HS2, then the odd billion or so for the Northern route should be no problem.

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG @transportgovuk The sooner the better!

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

Thanks for all your replies, I really want to see this happen, but I think its always good to look at other opinions and options. Who would run this route and would GW want a rival line bearing in mind it was BR(W) who wanted it shut in the 1960's?

[Paul Mercer @PaulMer29904765]

@NorthernRouteWG @CllrAndreaDavis @DevonCC @garystreeterSWD @scottmann4NC I hope it does get accepted by the Government. My only concern is that the idea (which is excellent in itself) of reopening it as a fully electrified double track railway is rather ambitious - and very expensive, I think it is more likely to be a single track with passing loops