Colne valley railway

[colchesterken]

I was sad to hear on the news that they have not been able to get a new lease and will have to close at the end of the year.

A popular heritage railway is being forced out of the village that has been its home for 40 years.

The Colne Valley Railway Preservation Society (CVRPS) has announced 2015 will be its last year on the current site as the landowner has decided the railway no longer fits into his plans for the land.

The railway, which employed one staff member full time and another part time, had been operating with a five-year lease.

The society had hoped to buy the site, in Castle Hedingham, before it ran out on December 31 and was fundraising so it could afford to buy the land.

Despite this, the owner - an Australian businessman - has decided not to sell the land to the society.

Paul Lemon, chairman of the CVRPS, said: “We are extremely disappointed at this turn of events.

“I don’t understand why he has decided to do this."

Source

Where could they go? I have read recently that the track bed on the Brightlingsea and the Maldon Branch is largely intact.

What is needed is a large heritage lottery fund grant. If they got new track perhaps they could increase speed to 40mph.

 

[fsmr]

Also detail article in rail


http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2015/colne-valley-enters-last-year-of-operating/


What puzzles me is what on earth would be more valuable than a working heritage railway which planned to purchase the line. Without the society, what has the landowner got. Unless he is planning a linear housing estate!!

It is also not clear in the articles what belongs to the society and what is the landowners and the costs involved to put the site back.

I,e permanent structures such as station buildings and signal boxes. Are they the landowners? The cost of demolishing and removing or rebuilding would be substantial and what about the track. All seems to be very strange IMHO and sad given the thousands of hours put in by volunteers over the years and not forgetting the local tourism

 

[AM9]

Also detail article in rail


http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2015/colne-valley-enters-last-year-of-operating/


What puzzles me is what on earth would be more valuable than a working heritage railway which planned to purchase the line. Without the society, what has the landowner got. Unless he is planning a linear housing estate!!

It is also not clear in the articles what belongs to the society and what is the landowners and the costs involved to put the site back.

I,e permanent structures such as station buildings and signal boxes. Are they the landowners? The cost of demolishing and removing or rebuilding would be substantial and what about the track. All seems to be very strange IMHO and sad given the thousands of hours put in by volunteers over the years and not forgetting the local tourism

Also, are any of the buildings listed?

 

[martin2345uk]

Very sad about this indeed. This little line is woven into the fabric of my childhood. :cry:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Where could they go? I have read recently that the track bed on the Brightlingsea and the Maldon Branch is largely intact.

Brightlingsea trackbed is almost completely intact save a large bridge over Arlesford Creek...

 

[alexl92]

There's a black 5 based there IIRC - the owning group have had no official word from the landowner about their future or that of the line, so they've no idea where they're at on this one. OBviously they've figured out that they'll have to leave but they only know about it through the railway telling them - the owner hasn't even had the courtesy to serve them notice.

 

[fsmr]

Very sad about this indeed. This little line is woven into the fabric of my childhood. :cry:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Brightlingsea trackbed is almost completely intact save a large bridge over Arlesford Creek...

Looking at the satellite view. I would say to bridge that crossing over the substantial creek with a swing span to allow the pleasure marine traffic through would be in excess of 5 million alone IMH. However that would give a few miles of run with potential mainline connection.
The problem is its in the middle of nowhere tourist wise Brighlingsea and jaywick are not the most affluent areas and off the tourism radar

The Sudbury branch would be ideal if they could persuade NWR to let them lease it during the weekends for heritage operations a bit like the Mid Norfolk But I think they already have plans to electrify the line Shame but I think unless they can join up with another local line such as Epping and Ongar, there isn't much future now

 

[Standard 4MT]

There is a as yet unconfirmed report that the owner of land has got outline planning approval, but no one so far seems to know what for, surely not enough room for housing except at station and sheds? (Which haven't had their lease terminated, but can't operate surely with no track?)

 

[GB]

But we don't know how much land the owner actually owns though.

Assuming he owns close to the river bank there seems plenty of room for housing even if the station area remained.

 

[Bricktop]

The track bed between Rayne and Felsted south of Dunmow would be a good idea, might encourage the line to Stansted to be re-thought through!

 

[grumblingalong]

http://www.halsteadgazette.co.uk/news/13423355.Colne_Valley_Railway_is_saved/?ref=mr&lp=1

Change of heart from the owner, CVR given a year to raise the funds to purchase the land, probably via heritage lottery grant. Good news.

 

[fsmr]

Good news for the volunteers supporters and local tourism indeed Let us hope the NL are able to help them achieve stability so they can plan for another 30 years or more