In May 1994,the Southern Relief Road was finally opened and Tiverton's traffic problem was mainly gone.Also gone though,was just about all trace of Tiverton's railway history.

Some of you reading this,especially those who know Tiverton might say,"Well something had to be done about the traffic problem" and I would say that yes I agree,but I would have kept the railway and built a relief road as well,just somewhere else.To me it seems madness that a town the size of Tiverton does not have its own railway station and I am sure that not having a station in the town has cost Tiverton many millions of pounds over the years in lost trade and tourism.

I have spoken to many people in and around Tiverton,who think that it is absolutely ridiculous that if they want to catch a train that they have to drive the 7 miles to Tiverton Parkway,a station that should actually be called Sampford Peverell and not Tiverton.

Just imagine the boost to the local economy Tiverton Station would have given if it was still there and how much traffic it would have actually taken off the roads.It seems though that the transport system has always been mismanaged in this country and governments have always been short sighted when it comes to the railways.

I suppose though,you cannot live in the past however better you think it was and I suppose also that you just have to accept the cold grey structures that serve their purpose,but do nothing else.

You can though as you drive your car down the busy Great Western Way,remember and imagine a better and different world,where instead of noisy cars,steam trains chugged and puffed and instead of a roundabout,there was a lovely,charming,Victorian bridge.  

 The first two pictures show the Blundells Road bridge that was also destroyed in the making of the roads.Two news stories about the opening of the new roads.

 

 

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News From Down the Line

newslogo44Every now and then when I talk to people and they hear of my interest in the Exe Valley Railway,they tell me little bits of information or recall an old memory.It always amazes me how even today,more than 50 years after it's closure,the fondness with which people remember the railway and how fresh the memories seem to be to them.

This little section of the website is to pass on to you these little "titbits" and any other small pieces of information that I have come across.

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- LATEST NEWS-

 

 

24/4/19These interesting pictures of Dulverton Station were sent in by Fred Gillard, who visited in about 1970 to take some pictures for a model railway project that he was building. The station buildings were bought by the Carnarvon Arms (now closed down) and used as staff and overflow guest accommodation,before being converted into residential housing. Thank you very much Fred for taking the time to share your pictures.

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Memories of the EVR

If you have any memories of the Exe Valley Railway that you would like to share with us,please get in contact with me and maybe we could publish them on our website.Likewise,if you have any photographs or film related to the railway that you would like to share,please contact me.   

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