Looe to Liskeard and Plymouth to Gunnislake

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Looe Valley line

This 8.75 mile line links this small port and tourist seaside destination with the Great Western main line at Liskeard. The journey involves reversal of the train at Coombe Junction and a circuitous route to the main line.

Tamar Valley Line

This 12 mile line provides a commuter service to Plymouth from the Bere Peninsula and Gunnislake, as well as access to southern Dartmoor for visitors. The route has two distinct halves: part runs through a deeply rural Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with poor road access and the other part runs along the main line through a predominantly urban area. Local roads are poor, and access to Plymouth congested. The train reverses at Bere Alston, and the line has some major structures, including a spectacular viaduct across the Tamar at Calstock.

Objectives/actions

Short term

  • Hourly service provided during the summer on the Looe Valley line
  • Interavailable ticketing with Western Greyhound buses, between Liskeard and Looe (and Polperro on Sundays)
  • Marketing and promotion of both lines
  • Carnet tickets sold off the railway in Tamar Valley communities

Medium term

  • Upgraded controls to simplify and speed up train reversal on both lines
  • Consider rolling stock options to provide additional seasonal capacity on Looe Valley line.

Long term

  • Possible park and ride operation from Moorswater on A38 to Looe
  • Possible extension of Tamar Valley line to Tavistock

Microfranchising

Look at scope for separate tendering of lines as self contained, locally operated microfranchises. The lines would remain part of the national network with through ticketing and other network benefits, but the scope for local management of infrastructure and operations will be examined. Initially, however, the lines will form part of the Greater Western franchise.

Progress

Short term objectives delivered and being monitored this summmer. Work continues on Medium and Long term proposals through the pilot client group. Some work already undertaken to scope the park and ride scheme and Tavistock extension.

Strong support from local authorities and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership for this pilot.