Last night on the Anglian news, there was a feature on the proposals and the protest movement prior to a meeting of the Southwold town Council. Sadly the report today is that the proposals have been rejected by the council.
I am convinced that a railway would offer considerably less of a wildlife environmental impact than streams of cars along rural roads.
Lets hope that some common sense prevails (well common sense in my eyes that is) and that this project can proceed.

Paul Kidger

BTW, a similar project had been pursued with regard to the commuter operation on the IoM Steam Railway. I read in the local papers there, and today in T&UT, that these plans also had to be dismissed.

>Sadly the report today is that the proposals have been rejected by the council. I am convinced that a railway would offer considerably less of a wildlife environmental impact than streams of cars along rural roads.<

Seems to me that the "Wildlife argument" came just in time for opponents of the scheme in order to conveniently shelter under that kind of "environmental camouflage".

Could have worked in a joint order of Stadler GTw 2/6 railcars for both services. I would doubt, even though an alleged press report had featured them in that context, that the pair of C.o.Donegal railcars could work it conveniently, especially with 21st century timings required between R'way Airport and Douglas. However, provision of 2 GTw 2/6 units (plus the Donegals in reserve) would not have paid off.

Together with the Southwold, it might have worked out more economically, though.

However, from a wholly local point of view: What would have been the point of having the last of the 3 ft gauge lines in mainland UK being re-instated ? Well, for all of us it would have been fine & fun, but that is not what any railway is supposed to do alone. What transport benefits would a 3' line have (except on the IoM, of course, where 3' is "standard" gauge), compared to a standard-gauge Light Rail interurban line ?

Kind regards

CTW, DE-Goslar

Southwold is completely different from IOM regarding passenger potential. Southwold is a remote town in an area of low population density. The roads to it are narrow and unsuited to heavy traffic. Local off season traffic is light and the needs are easily met by either private cars or buses. It is the seasonal day visitors which cause the problems. To a certain extent this has been made worse by the fact that it has become a weekend town for wealthy Londoners..... effectively pricing the local people out of the town. Southwold has a unique appeal in that it has changed little over the last 50 or more years. Apart that is, for the floods of private cars which bring the visitors in on weekends and summer days. (It also has a lovely small brewery producing an excellent traditional English Ale). A railway would be a wonderful asset to the town by both attracting people to the town and by encouraging them to leave their cars at a suitable Park & Ride facility. In my opinion, it would be more environmentally friendly than the numbers of cars currently encountered.
It is a pity that local objection was so strong. The main reason given was the environment however I think that this may hide the true reason.

Paul Kidger

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(It also has a lovely small brewery producing an excellent traditional English Ale).

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It's been a long time, but I still remember Adnams bitter with great fondness.

...John Reay, forum staff

Paul Kidger