General Discussion

Hello,

I'd really like to pick the brains of some knowledgeable Dawlish residents about the parking and transport situation during Carnival Week!

My partner and I have lived in Dawlish for the past couple of years, but we've never actually been in Dawlish for any part of Carnival Week (I won't pretend that's an accident, but that's another story...!). This year, we will be in Dawlish for the duration of the week, and we were wondering what impact the carnival has on car parking and train travel.

My partner commutes by train, and we were wondering whether the trains get particularly busy or delayed due to increased passenger numbers. We've heard that on the air show day, the railway station platforms are closed off (presumably not to ticket holders?), but do people find train travel particularly difficult on this day? My partner is very familiar with First Great Western continuing to only put on two carriages when there are far more people needing to travel, but it would be helpful to know in advance if he's likely to find it very difficult to travel by train on the air show day, so he can make alternative arrangements.

With regards to parking, as we live in the town centre where it isn't possible for me to legally park outside our flat, I tend to park on quieter residential streets a little further out of town (usually Coryton Close or Barton Crescent). Do residents find it challenging to find parking spaces outside of the town centre during Carnival Week? Again, it would be really good to know in advance so I can avoid using my car if necessary (for instance, it would be really annoying to do a big grocery shop, only to find I need to park miles away!). Of course, just because I own a car it doesn't give me the right to be able to park it somewhere convenient, and I don't mind if I do need to walk quite a way if my usual parking areas get congested, it would just be good to know in advance.

Any personal experiences or advice would be very much appreciated!

Nyanko,Last year I attended the Carnival on air show day only.From Exeter St.Davids the trains from London Paddington that stop at Dawlish(not many I know), were about 3 quarters full.The local trains had an extra 2 or 3 extra carriages on them.Go onto First Great Western Website and It might tell you more,or go to Dawlish railway station,they are usally very helpful.Also the Dawlish Carnival website should tell you about parking restrictions.Oh,by the way I live In Hampshire but holiday every year at Dawlish.

Best to avoid train travel on the day if you can ..unless you travel when the main events are taking place. Dawlish station is very busy between 6 and 7pm ..comings and goings..

@Nyanko

As I don't live in the town centre I can't comment on what the parking is like (although I can imagine!). However, I do know that out here in suburbia cars start parking up quite early in the day of the airshow and consequently it's not very long before on street parking places become difficult to find.

Would suggest therefore that you don't use your car that day unless you know someone who will let you use their driveway/car port or similar.

Dont know about the trains but as for parking would suggest the layby's on Exeter Road or around the community college where the teaching staff usually park. Wouldnt try the other side of town ie Coronation or John Nash or you may run into the carnival floats

Thank you all so much for the advice - it's really helpful!

I think I might just avoid using my car on the Thursday and Friday of Carnival Week - fortunately, I can work from home so it's no big deal really. Unfortunately, my partner can't do that and as such will have to attempt to use the trains as usual - although it's reassuring to know that extra carriages are added on the air show day! Hopefully, he won't have difficulties, since I imagine he'll be travelling in the opposite way to many of the Carnival/air show visitors (heading into Exeter early in the morning, and heading back to Dawlish in the early evening).

Thanks again for the advice, much appreciated!