Gallery

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Peter Craske (with his hiking companion, Scrumpy) nominated as one of six national finalists for ACoRP's "Outstanding Volunteer Contribution."

Tarka launches his walks booklet, accompanied by (l to r) DCC Councillor Nick Way, Walks booklet author Peter Craske, Richard Burningham of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, Tarka Rail Association Chairman, John Phillips and First Great Western's General Manager for the West of England, Julian Crow. Craske and Crow are among this year's ACoRP finalists.

Success at the ACORP awards 2009, with, from left to right, Peter Craske, winner of the award for the best marketing publication for the Tarka Line Walks booklet, John Phillips, chairman of the Tarka Rail Association with a copy of the winning booklet, and Mike Day, winner of the award for the best station/train retail outlet for the Stationmasters Cafe at Barnstaple.

BARNSTAPLE STATION IMPROVEMENTS

Regular users of Barnstaple Station will have seen a number of improvements carried out recently all of which are designed to improve passenger and interchange facilities.

The construction of the Western By-pass was the start of the process with the construction of the new car park, bus only link road and taxi rank all forming an integral part of the road scheme. The station has been equipped with a hearing loop equipped low level ticket counter, significantly improved toilets, including a new one for disabled people, automatic entrance doors to the Ticket office and new waiting room seats.

The construction of the link road resulted in a number of bus services calling at the railway Station, including most importantly the Stagecoach services to Bideford and other destinations. The existing bus shelter was life expired and no shelter was provided for people waiting for the all important link to the Town Centre. Provision of two smart new shelters and lettered bus stops has considerably enhanced the waiting environment for interchanging bus passengers with full timetable information.

More recently the area in front of the station entrance was enlarged to improve circulation space, to remove a trip hazard and to improve drainage. The platform has been extended to provide more waiting space, including the provision of a covered cycle shelter and additional benches.

At an early date it was agreed that the Station should revert to heritage green and cream and this colour scheme has been applied to the ticket office/waiting room. Finally, replica green directional signs have been provided in heritage style to complement the green and cream colour scheme. All signing has been replaced and this has drawn together all the elements described above. Just one job remains and that is some painting work which the Tarka Rail Association will be carrying out in September after the peak summer season.

All of this work would not have been possible without the work and joint funding of FGW and Devon County Council, the active involvement of the Tarka Rail Association and the support of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. Together they have achieved remarkable improvements to this increasingly busy station in true Community Railway style.