Bring back the rail connection

Published: 10:42 AM November 12, 2010 Updated: 6:34 PM November 7, 2020

SIR - As a fairly regular visitor to Sidmouth, I have, for some time, been concerned at the amount of green land being built on. The latest being Woolbrook. No doubt each residence will have a parking space, leading to more cars in Sidmouth. It seems the powers that be are now trying to limit the number of cars by introducing parking charges.

It would appear from comments in the Herald that several groups are raising monies for improvements. I, like many others, am against the proposed bridge at Connaught Gardens which will spoil the view looking up Peak Hill. I believe a narrowing of the road with priority for vehicles going uphill would be feasible. They work well in Station Road. This, however, is not going to reduce the number of cars coming into Sidmouth, or the number of heavy goods vehicles travelling in Sidmouth, as it has no access other than by road. Sea imports are long gone and there is no room for air.

Why is there no effort to reopen a rail link to Sidmouth through Ottery St Mary, connecting to the main line at Honiton, rather than Feniton (Sidmouth Junction), due to the new A30 cutting the former track bed. With this in place, it is hoped that the powers that be would ban heavy goods vehicles from entering Sidmouth. If the EU says we can’t do this, then leave the EU.

One only has to look at the chaos caused when the original low bridge at Bowd was removed, allowing heavy goods vehicles to travel along the A3052 through Sidford and beyond. In cold weather, such as earlier, Sidmouth should not have to rely on one of the three hills into the area being kept open. Let work start on getting a second method of supplying goods.

If the line were reinstated as far as the station, it only needs enough platform for a four coach train (Exmouth) and, surely, some provision could be made for a connecting bus service to the Three Cornered Plot.