Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust calls for support of restoration project

THE Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust are hoping they have drummed up support among local councillors, following a presentation at Lynton Town Council's meeting.

The Trust gave a presentation to the council about their grand scheme to revive the railway as a major tourist attraction for the region, with track extending up to the town and, in its next phase, nine miles down as far as Wistlandpound.

They announced the ambitious £30 million Exmoor Enterprise Project at a special event held at the station a year ago and eventually hope to extend the track all the way back to Barnstaple.

Since laying the first track in 2003, the Trust has already extended the line a mile, along to the Killington station at Parracombe — and last year carried its 100,000th passenger.

At the presentation, Ian Cowling, the project manager of the Exmoor Enterprise scheme outlined the benefits of the project, which could bring a total of 215 jobs to the area and boost the economy by £136 million in the first 10 years.

Currently the project has gained no grant aid or public funds, but is already looking at potential sources of funding, both commercially and in charitable areas.

The Trust is actively looking for funding support from organisations such as Devon County Council and SWRDA and is swiftly gaining support, with district and county councillors already on board, as well as North Devon MP Nick Harvey, the Lyn and Exmoor Vision, Exmoor National Park Authority and North Devon Plus among those indicating their support.

Trustee Tony Nicholson said: "The councillors were clearly impressed by the presentation, particularly the idea that the project is expected to create 215 jobs in the area and bring an extra £15 million into the local economy each year, and will vote at their next meeting whether to add their support to the scheme.

"They will also consider where they would like to see the new Lynton terminus located, since the original station site, 700 ft above the sea, was one of the reasons why the old railway closed in 1935."