Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I work for a water company but not in your part of the world...septic tanks are covered by the Environment Agency’s General Binding Rules that basically puts an end to any septic tank discharging untreated effluent to any kind of drain or watercourse from Jan 2020. Septic tanks must either be upgraded to a ‘package plant’ type of treatment facility BS EN 12566-3 or the discharge to a watercourse be stopped and diverted to a ‘drain field’ BS 6297 2007. Both are tried and tested solutions, the cost is typically a £few thousands but it depends on the complexity of the engineering and the degree of cooperation (or not) between property owners.

I can’t comment on the arrangements at the house but legal responsibilities are definitely worth investigating, normally they are shared between the property owner(s) served by the drainage system but very occasionally by the landowner too (e.g. if it’s written in to a property deed). Normally a landowner’s only responsibility is to not to interfere with or deny access to a property owner to maintain a septic tank, rather than be responsible for the ownership or maintenance of it.

A water company might also have some responsibilities if two or more properties are served by a foul drainage system, but that comes under different legislation regarding ‘public sewers’. It isn’t something they shout about because they don’t want the cost and hassle of lots of dilapidated assets to upgrade, but a group of properties can request a connection to the public sewer system or where it isn’t feasible, the water co can be asked to adopt the assets.

Sewers and septic tanks are more complicated and interesting than you think. No honestly, they are!

 

One of the delights of these threads are the sudden discovery of aspects of life that you had always taken for granted....I now appreciate Sewers and Septic tanks far more - Thanks Vulcan Works!

 

I’ve been staying in Minehead this week. As the WSR is closed I decided to drive over to Woody Bay for my first visit to the LBR.

I have to say I was very impressed with what has been achieved. An almost perfect recreation of the old LBR. Particularly impressed with Lyn, and also the restored/new build coaches. Stunning scenery too.

Once extended by a few miles, this has the potential to be the major tourist attraction in the area. Already seems to be doing well, with lots of of other visitors when I was there, despite Covid.

 

I was visiting the NRM yesterday and had a good look around the L&B carriage that is on display in the main hall in its original (unrestored) condition. It really shows how well the new build carriages have been built. It is a shame that there is no mention of the rebuilding of the L & B by the exhibit.

 

Eric Leslie RIP.
Just seen this awful piece of news on the Trust website:
https://www.lynton-rail.org.uk/story/eric-leslie-rip

We all knew that Eric was ailing, but it doesn't make it any easier.
Eric's artwork was essentially the corporate image of the revived L&B.
He, and his paintings, will be sorely missed.

 

although ive seen many photo's of this carriage its the first time ive seen the caption next to it,im guessing it must have been composed by a GWR fan as the devon and somerset line ran to the victoria station whereas the l&b exchange was at the town station which was part of the southern line running from barnstaple junction on the north devon line.there was a link between victoria station and the junction station so broadly speaking the caption could be correct by a technicality lol,does anyone know if GWR trains ran over to the junction and on to the town station?

 

Direct, too, once the loop avoiding Victoria Road went in, in 1905. Pete beat me to it, as I was (unsuccessfully) trying to find a photo ... but prarie tanks and 43xx moguls certainly featured, though 'fraid I dunno the largest GW classes which were permitted.

 

Page 63 of L&B Journey has a photo of a 55xx next to an L&B train.

 

Biggest GW loco I can recall seeing a photo of at Ilfracombe (which must have travelled via Barnstaple Town) was a 43xx; however whether that was a limit or just a consequence of the usual motive power I don't know. On the Southern side, a Bulleid Light Pacific was allowed, but not a Merchant Navy nor, in earlier days, a King Arthur.

Re the caption comment about allowing "access from the Devon and Somerset line to the resorts of Lynton and Lynmouth" - perhaps a more truthful description would be "allowing access from Lynton and Lynmouth to London Waterloo with only one change"

Tom

 

An amazing survivor. It would almost be a shame to restore it!

Perhaps one day, once appropriate under cover accommodation is available, the NRM might see fit to place it on long term loan for display at the L&BR.

 

Re: Bulleid Light Pacifics .... aren't we talking "in original form only" if memory serves?

 

Didn’t that go for all the rural stuff down the SW. eg Withered Arm etc?


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That was what I thought I'd read, with Meldon Viaduct being the restriction I'd always heard mentioned (though the bridge at Barnstaple didn't exactly look robust!).

 

That's my understanding too .... though whether the limits on the detuned model were Exeter or Plymouth/ Barnstaple I can't recall. Still, that's "improvements" for you!

 

If you're thinking of that curved edifice over the Taw (between 'Junction' and 'Town' stations), it apparently put up one hell of a fight, come demolition time!

 

We're off topic, but generally Bulleid Pacifics west of Exeter meant original condition. After 1960, "rebuilt" locos were allowed, but only on the Exeter - Plymouth line. That was allowed following strengthening of Meldon viaduct. I don't believe they ever use date North Devon line, i.e. Exeter / Barnstaple / Ilfracombe.

Checking Nicholas and Reeve, GWR locos observed on the Ilfracombe line (i.e. that would have worked through Barnstaple Town adjacent to the L&B station) include Bulldogs, 43xx / 63xx / 73xx / 45xx / 55xx. 22xx 0-6-0s were permitted but rare. All GWR locos working on the line had to have the steps cut down to pass over the bridge in Barnstaple.

Edit to add: 22xx were only allowed after 1934, which only just overlaps the L&B period. 63xx and 73xx may be later than the L&B closing, but frankly, who can tell the difference?

Tom

 

Why would they need to work over the bendy bridge - GWR was north of the river like Town station? FWIW I came out of Ilfracombe behind a Warship c. 1966 iirc.