Clive
Thanks Mcjrpc...or if you want to 'push the boat out' and add a curiosity factor to the railings you could always ask Tracey Emin... or a Dawlish artist: http://www.westendextra.com/reviews/features/2010/feb/feature-exhibition-tracey-emin-paula-rego-and-matt-collishaw-foundling-mus ...and perhaps for the overbridge try... http://www.folkestonetriennial.org.uk/artist/tonico-lemos-auad/
@Mcjrpc - maybe set up a competition in the town for an idea of hanging something between the stench pipes to make them look meant in some way. for example, a welcome banner or some artistic idea, such as a bell (no i haven't gone completely bonkers yet, see folkestone art triennial). http://www.folkestonetriennial.org.uk/
Ref Cranbrook-Airport - Direct train from Plymouth, now there's a handy service I hadn't though of, given the loss of Plymouth airport. Yes 'suitable transfer facilities' - very key to making a sucess of this. Probably just my perception, but local buses do seem to have an uncany knack of being scheduled to depart either at or minus 10mins of principal trains arriving!!
@MarkyT - i can see the virtues of the theme, 'if you are going to build a new line make it a fast one' being applied to dal (as well as hs2). with respect to the oke-tavy reopening this is the option that intrigues me most as to how much 'traction' (pardon the pun) it may or may not gain. in particular, i just wondered how much virtue my suggestion about the matrix of journeys it potentially ...
'Boy George' currently holds the purse strings. If he (and 'side-kicks') wants to woo voters in the SW for a majority win, then this is his big chance. Without wishing to sound too mercenary, milk the opportunity folks Simple as that?!!
Great contribution MarkyT. Particularly liking your capacity and maintenance logic which is something that a proper DAL provides as a big positive extra to Dawlish stopping services. One of the existing issues rarely mentioned is the frequency with which stoppers and late expresses currently foul each other up between NA and Exeter. Massively agree with the shortest route concept, tunelling ...
Also, taking good advantage of a 'free track possession' rather than an unnecessary one after opening.
@roberta - yes i understand your sentiment. hence, as i commented in another thread, there is a glorious 14month window of opportunity for the sw to get a totally firm committment, whether a sea breakwater, or an additional rail line 'somewhere' that will be of lasting benefit. polls show the election is in the balance so the sw are in a strong position of leverage. if the sw doesn't nail it ...
@Lynne - thanks - very interesting to see the tv summaries.
@roberta - great link thanks, don't suppose anyone has links to the previous ones as well?
