Two wheels good - Jan 27
THERE’S been a lot of discussion in these pages lately about the likelihood or otherwise of trains returning to the Kings Lynn to Hunstanton railway line.
I’ve followed the debate with interest, both as a transport campaigner, and as a professional railwayman. Although only marginally cycle-related (read on) I thought I’d throw my thoughts into the pot.
Firstly, I would agree with those who say that reinstating a full-scale “heritage” railway, with steam engines, is very unlikely to happen. It’s hugely expensive and such projects take a very long time to get off the ground.
Proponents of reopening the old rail line point out that 90 per cent of the trackbed is clear. The problem is the 10 per cent that isn’t and at best we’d end up with a couple of miles of track from nowhere to nowhere.
The original route through Lynn (now part of the National Cycle Network) carries far more people on bike and foot than the old railway ever did, and would have to be retained as such.
We’ve already got four major preserved railways in Norfolk, and a fifth would just draw business from the others. If you like steam, support the North Norfolk Railway and if you like real trains (1960s diesels) visit the Mid Norfolk Railway at Dereham. For narrow gauge enthusiasts you’ve got the Wells & Walsingham and the Bure Valley at Aylsham.
What’s really needed for the Lynn – Hunstanton corridor is a transport system to move people from A to B – commuters into town, and holidaymakers and day-trippers to the coast.
It’s clear to anyone who’s been stuck on the A149 on a summer Friday evening that the current road system just isn’t up to it.
The present total reliance on petrol and diesel is unsustainable. The answer lies in a modern “light rail” system, which could be built much more cheaply and quickly than a traditional railway. Such lines are commonplace in mainland Europe, particularly in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, where the trams connect with main line trains and local buses. Some even carry bikes!
Modern trams do not necessarily need overhead wires and can run on a variety of systems such as battery, flywheel energy storage, induction systems, bio fuels or a combination.
From Lynn it would leave town via the old docks branch (still technically open although derelict) then alongside the bypass to rejoin the original route near South Wootton. From there it would use a combination of the old route, new formation alongside roads and street-running (tramway style) between Dersingham and Snettisham and through Heacham, finishing close to the original station site in the centre of Hunstanton. Journey time would be between 30 and 40 minutes.
A basic system could be up and running in less than five years, initially using second-hand rolling stock from Europe.
Where rail lines have been re-opened elsewhere in the UK (for example, Mansfield, Alloa, and Ebbw Vale) they have invariably been hugely successful, carrying far more passengers than expected. The modern trams in Sheffield, Manchester and Nottingham have transformed travel in their areas.
A West Norfolk Light Railway would combine the best of both worlds and really would put West Norfolk back on the transport map!
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
