The Brit Valley Railway Ltd. is taking the lead in submitting
this Bid.
The Key Partners are as follows. We are committed to the Bid
and to implementing it subsequently if it is successful.
Brit Valley Railway Ltd.
Directors Ken Caldwell
Simon Brody
David Negus
Dorset County Council
Dr.G.W.Tapper
Abbotsbury Software Ltd.
Tim Snape
West Dorset District Council (Committed to the bid in terms of
the items set out on page 36)
Chairman
Contractor
Melvyn Sparks
Other Partners are as follows:-
Bridport Chamber of Trade and Commerce
Bridport Town Council (Key Partnership applied for)
Lloyds Bank plc
Colfox School
Southern National Bus Company
Magna Housing Association Ltd.
Pilsdon Community
Bridport Cycling Club
Sustrans (Key Partnership requested)
Dorset Education Business Partnership
Trident
Business in the Community
Note:- Brit Valley Railway plc, and the Brit Valley Railway (Trust)
Ltd. are in the process of being formed.
Contact Names:-
Ken Caldwell Tel. 01308 427345
Fax 01308 421678
Simon Brody Tel. 01308 424851
Fax 01308 424401
Contact Address:-
Brit Valley Railway Ltd.,
Unit 6,
St. Michaels Trading Estate,
Bridport,
Dorset, DT6 3RR.
Web Site:- http://www.wdi.co.uk/bvr
Email:- bvr@thenet.co.uk
Contents
Purpose of the Bid and Target Area 5
Goals 12
Acknowledgements
Bridport Town Council - Use of the Bridport Coat of Arms on
the front cover.
Peter Critoph - Route Map and Artist's Impression of West Bay
Station.
Tim Brody - Computer imaging of drawing of Rolling Stock for
the Brit Valley Railway.
Robert Moseley - Map of Cycle Ways.
Dorset County Council - Maps of Dorset and Tourism and Employment
Statistics.
West Dorset District Council - Table of Outputs from the 11th
May Open Day.
Pauline Turley - For her tireless campaigning.
Pat Brody - Preparing and editing of this document.
Kevin Caldwell- General administration
Amanda Rathbone-Book keeping and accounts
... and the public for their support and encouragement.
At first appearance this project could be conceived as a railway
for enthusiasts - but be assured it is not.
The original concept of the Brit Valley Railway was as a rallying
point for the revitalisation of Bridport/West Dorset - something
tangible for the locals to be excited about, and to be a catalyst
for other 'ride along' projects. In fact we have just about achieved
this objective, and have created a feeling of 'get up and go'.
The Railway will almost be a bonus.
But let us look at the Railway. The concept is from a hard business
project viewpoint to take advantage of its placement in a high
volume tourism area. The Railway will generate passengers from
the tourists, and by designing it to appeal, will increase tourist
volume which will in turn spin off into the local business economy
and improve the well being of the locale.
West Dorset happens to be a black area with regard to public transport
- the Railway will provide not only a valuable local rail transport
system with park and ride facilities, but also a much needed and
very valuable feeder system to the mainline Railway at Crewkerne,
in due course.
Obviously the increase in tourist visitors will create opportunities
in the small business private sector, but it is also anticipated
that an extended season will assist with overhead coverage and
help sustain borderline or embryo businesses. In order to appeal,
as a marketing ploy, to the potential supply of tourists to the
area, we have decided that the rolling stock for the Railway will
be new and high-tech with an innovative propulsion system, but
with a traditional appearance.
We have deduced that oil fired steam is the most environmentally
friendly system (confirmed by the Times) to travel through our
beautiful, but sensitive, countryside. Added to this will be
Kinetic Flywheel technology which will store energy to enable
small locomotives to not only haul trains up gradients, but also
to store braking energy in the flywheel, thus increasing the boiler
and operating efficiency to heights previously unknown. This
is a world first.
The rolling stock for this Railway is to be designed and built
in Bridport and is the start of a new industry of low cost feeder
line traffic to mainlines, slowing the reliance on road traffic.
We already have enquiries to build systems in the U.K. and overseas.
This will inevitably lead to a very large increase in skilled
technical manufacturing jobs, and training opportunities for young
and old alike in heavy and light engineering, and all the electrical
and electronic signalling support systems.
We appeal to you, please look behind the Railway and see the true
project, which will bring a business that will not only be self-sustaining,
but also unique as a manufacturing unit with its own test bed
railway for innovative development of the new feeder technology.
It will not only employ in its first phase up to 15 people, operating
a delightful tourist attraction, but also bring a much needed
local rail system with main line links and its many socially desirable
features. It could also bring a new manufacturing industry employing
up to 50 people. We think it is well worth our efforts and extremely
good value for money.
Purpose of The Bid and Target Area
Overall Purpose of Bid
The overall purpose of the bid is to:-
· Build a new railway.
· Develop West Dorset's Tourism Industry.
· Provide new opportunities for a local High Tech Manufacturing Industry.
· Open opportunities for local entrepreneurs to develop related businesses.
· Provide new village shops and facilities at stations.
· Provide new transport facilities for the disabled and cyclists.
· Forge educational links, work experience and training opportunities with local schools and youth organisations.
· Create opportunities for improved
sport and amenity facilities.
Outcomes of Bid
· Design, manufacture and build a narrow gauge, principally steam hauled, railway from West Bay to Bridport. Extensions to the Strategic European Rail Route, at Crewkerne and along the designated World Heritage Coastline to Weymouth are also proposed.
· Build new High Tech steam and kinetic fly-wheel driven locomotives, carriages and flat-bed freight wagons (for containers) in Bridport.
· Provide a bus inter-change in Bridport and Park and Ride facilities adjacent to the Bridport By-pass, and main roads generally. Forge links to cycle ways and footpaths.
· Provide shops and post-offices, tourist information and cafe (and cyber-cafe with Internet links) facilities at village stations.
· Design all stations and trains with disabled access, and provision will be made for cycles, prams and push-chairs.
· Provide resources to the local schools for GCSE, GNVQ and A-Level courses in Business Studies and the Technologies (already in place), and work experience in building and running the railway. Provide links to the information superhighway.
· Encourage new land uses for housing and recreational use as a result of better access. Create new wildlife habitats where access is restricted.
Target Area
The geographical area is indicated on the map and covers the wards
of Bradpole, Bridport South, Bridport North and Bothenhampton.
The Bridport TTWA extends a distance of about 12 miles from Bridport.
Economic Characteristics
The latest unemployment figures, April 1996, show that Bridport
has the highest unemployment rate of any town in Dorset outside
the Bournemouth conurbation. Furthermore, other indicators of
relative deprivation include local wage rates which are on average
about £3.78 per hour as compared to about £11.50
per hour in Bournemouth. Also the town has a very high proportion
of people who are self-employed: 22.2% compared to 16.8% in Dorset
and 11.7% in England (1991 census). The percentage of part-time
workers is higher than the Dorset average. In this respect the
Bridport North and Bradpole wards are significantly higher than
the County average, being in the 20.5% to 25% range as compared
with the Dorset average of 18.1%. Bridport has the highest proportion
of part-time to full-time job vacancies in the South West.
Target Population
The target population is that in the Bridport travel to work area
and is approximately 15,000. This area lies totally within the
Western Dorset Rural Development Area.
Transport Links
Western Dorset is isolated in terms of rail links and not well
served with regard to road links. The A35 trunk road passes East/West
through the area carrying average vehicle flows of between 10,000
and 20,000 per day (1995), but Bridport has recently been by-passed,
so that none of this traffic impinges upon Bridport itself. The
links to the north are narrow and winding County A roads.
Local Need
The need to do something for the regeneration of Bridport was
established initially by the three promoters of the Brit Valley
Railway project. We are all businessmen earning our living in
the area and it is quite clear, from our own experience and those
of local colleagues, that Bridport is in serious commercial decline.
Numerous shops in Bridport have had to close and there is an
air of dereliction.
Local Consultation
The Railway was promoted as a regeneration project and to test
local opinion a questionnaire was prepared and 4,500 copies distributed
to shops, pubs and hotels in Bridport and West Bay. This was
in October 1995 (out of season) and no publicity was given to
their distribution. The object of the exercise was to see what
the people of Bridport wanted. The response was very good indeed,
approximately 1,000 questionnaires having been completed (with
names and addresses) and returned to the shops and pubs or posted
back to the Railway company. Only one of the questionnaires stated
that a railway was not wanted. About 40% of the respondents also
wanted to help in either a voluntary or a paid capacity. A similar
public consultation exercise was carried out by West Dorset District
Council at a presentation on 11th May 1996. On that occasion
a questionnaire was produced by the District Council asking which
of the 20 organisations invited to the presentation would, in
the public's view, contribute most to the regeneration of Bridport.
In the local economy category the Brit Valley Railway scored
highest, see Table of results.
Publicity
The Brit Valley Railway project has been reported on almost a
weekly basis in the local newspapers, the Bridport News and Dorset
Evening Echo. It is regularly featured in the Western Gazette,
has been reported in the Daily Telegraph (twice), BBC Radio 4
and from time to time in the railway press. The Directors have
given interviews on Wessex FM, BBC Dorset FM, BBC Radio Bristol,
BBC Solent Radio and BBC Television Spotlight programme and ITV
Westcountry. Our Web pages on the Internet have introduced the
project to a world-wide audience and we have received responses
from America, Australia and Switzerland. On average about 100
people a month log on to our pages.
Relationship with Other Strategies
The regeneration project is entirely in accord with the following
strategies:-
1. The Bridport Local Strategy - West Dorset District Council.
2. The Dorset Rural Development Strategy - Committee for Rural Dorset.
3. Sustainable Rural Tourism - Countryside Commission.
4. A Vision for Rural Public Transport - The Institution of Civil Engineers.
5. An Economic Development Strategy for West Dorset 1995/1996 -
West Dorset District Council.
6. Transport: The Way Ahead South West Debate - Government Office of the
South West.
7. Rural England: A Nation Committed To A Living Countryside White Paper.
8. Dorset Transport Strategy 1996/1997 - Dorset County Council.
Bridport's Decline
Bridport has suffered a steady decline in recent years. The town
is over reliant on one defence related company and provides poor
local job opportunities. Its decline is emphasised by a range
of statistical evidence and visual indicators. The Bridport area
has seen a 10% reduction in employment between 1991 and 1993 (census
of employment). In addition since 1993, a further 292 manufacturing
jobs have been lost representing 25% of non-service employment.
The Jarman score, (provided by the Dorset Health Commission based
on information from the 1991 census) relating to the extent to
which areas are underprivileged is significant. The overall score
for all factors for Bridport South Ward is 16.6 and that for Bridport
North is 12.4, the second and fifth highest ward figures in West
Dorset's 28 wards.
Lack of Training Opportunities
Of great concern is the need to provide increased opportunities
for young people in the town in terms of education, training,
crime prevention and employment opportunities. Figures produced
in 1995 for 16 year olds coming from the town's secondary school,
Colfox, show that over 10% were unemployed or had entered employment
with no training, compared to the County average of just under
5%. The nearest training venues are over 15 miles away. Dorset
TEC research has indicated that rural trainees are disadvantaged
in terms of training provision and in addition have transport
difficulties. Furthermore, the town has suffered social problems
associated with drug and alcohol abuse, particularly amongst young
people (Dorset Police).
Vacant Premises
In terms of the built environment, statistics produced by West
Dorset District Council in April 1996 show that 13% of the shops
in the town centre are vacant, which is a higher percentage than
any other town in West Dorset and there are many other vacant
or under-used buildings. West Dorset District Council has agreed
funding to formally establish Bridport plc (currently the Bridport
2000 project) a partnership with the objective of regenerating
the town centre of Bridport. The Brit Valley Railway is a partner
in the Bridport 2000 project.
Baseline Economic Data
We have full data on unemployment in Dorset (April 1996) prepared
by the Dorset Economic Intelligence Service of Dorset County Council
and Dorset TEC. Whether this data will be useful for assessing
the improvements which the project will bring about is difficult
to say as no current jobs exist on a railway project in West Dorset
(there are no railways) and there are no electronic companies
working in the fields of signalling. There are also no manufacturers
of railway rolling stock. The baseline statistics are that there
are no positions currently available for full-time/part-time jobs
or training positions. The regeneration project is specifically
geared towards producing new industries and employment opportunities
(and of course services) so the success will be able to be monitored
by the number of staff and trainees on the payroll.
Availability of Premises
With the tremendous public support and with the agreement in principle
of the landowners the opportunity to build the Railway has come
about. In addition the will to "do something" for Bridport
has meant that a large number of offers of, for example, buildings
or land have been made available to enable these new and exciting
industries to get going. At Gore Cross on the northern outskirts
of Bridport a business park extending to some 12 acres has already
been serviced by the District Council, County Council and Rural
Development Commission and currently awaits its first tenant.
The high tech industries, particularly the electronics developments
which will flow from this Project, could move to that site.
New Business Opportunities
We have carried out considerable market research on private railways
and have found that in a similar situation to this, where there
are discrete attractions at either end of the line and a park
and ride as well, they are highly profitable. This particular
railway has been chosen to be sympathetic to the Dorset countryside
and also to be complementary to the standard gauge heritage Swanage
Steam Railway at the Eastern end of Dorset and the Seaton tramway
which is a narrow gauge electric tram heritage system just over
the border in Devon. We see no reason why this railway should
not be as successful a tourist attraction as these other two facilities.
This being the case it will make the long term tourism based
business more secure and provide the essential home base for the
proposed new train manufacturing and electronic industries. The
opportunity will exist with this secure base to exploit home and
export orders of which we have already had enquiries from Ashdown,
Sussex, Jersey and Dubai. The priorities will be to show that
a modern efficient system is in place which is commercially viable.
It is imperative that we do not attempt to over-reach ourselves
in the early stages and, as such, go forward on a solid commercial
foundation.
Proposed Route
Please refer to the map of the proposed route of the Railway.
West Bay
At West Bay there will be a station adjacent to the South Coast
Footpath. The station will be built on what is officially car
park land, but is quite clearly derelict.
The line crosses the River Brit on a bow string arch bridge which
will be a feature of the Railway. Beyond the bridge the land
will be excavated to form semi-marshland habitats for the bird
life prevalent in the Brit Valley. Another station will be built
at the northern end of the Haven Leisure Holiday complex.
Park and Ride
The line then turns north through the valley and eventually reaches
Broomhills Station and park and ride. Permission has just been
granted from the Highways Agency to install a junction on the
A35 Trunk Road (the Bridport by-pass), provided that the road
leads to a car park for the Brit Valley Railway. It is anticipated
that traffic which would otherwise pass through West Dorset will
be encouraged to stop here and ride either to West Bay or into
Bridport thereby supporting the local tourist attractions and
shops etc.
Local School and Facilities
The line goes north and at the request of the Headteacher a station
will be built in the grounds of the local primary school, St.
Mary's. Virtually all the young students go to and from school
by car and he wished that they should travel by train from West
Bay or from the housing estates in Bridport. This station will
also serve the local Brewery (a tourist attraction), a football
ground and Bridport Leisure Centre.
Supermarket Links/Transport Interchange
The line reaches Bridport at the rear of St. Michaels Trading
Estate where we are in discussion with the landowner and a supermarket
developer over a combined supermarket and station facility. This
combined facility will allow the non-car owning public direct
access to a supermarket and the trains will be designed to convey
shopping trolleys through wide doors.
This will also be the position of a transport inter-change with
Bridport Coach Station and we are in close discussion with Southern
National over common timetabling.
First Extension
The first extension of the line to the north is not included as
part of this bid, but it remains an objective for 3 years plus.
How rapidly it will be built is dependent upon revenue and share
issue. Design work is however virtually complete.
It is proposed that the line goes north through an archway to
be formed in a building currently owned by West Dorset District
Council (vehicular archways are quite common in Bridport). This
was put up for sale recently, but removed from the market once
our plans became clear. This will be an ideal building for our
retail shop, Railway offices and signalling centre being on one
of the main shopping streets in Bridport. We are in discussion
with West Dorset District Council about this building (value about
£50,000) and land as a contribution to this bid.
Links to Colfox School, Pymore and Gore Cross
From here the line continues to another station at North Mills
Trading Estate which is adjacent to the largest housing estates
in Bridport. From here on it swings north-eastward to a point
near the heritage village of Pymore. This village is due for
refurbishment or partial conversion to a heritage type tourist
attraction. The station will be at the foot of the slope, at
the top of which will be built the proposed new Colfox Comprehensive
School for 900 pupils. The existing school is about 100 yards
from this position. Gore Cross Industrial Estate is also adjacent
at the top of the slope where we could build our workshops for
high-tech locomotive and carriage manufacture and an electronics
design and construction facility for signalling and other high-tech
uses. A telecentre could be either built on the station premises
or possibly at the edge of the Gore Cross Estate in our facility
which could be used by students from the school, other businesses
on the estate and of course the general public.
Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Where planning issues will permit we intend building station structures
which can accommodate not only ticket selling facilities, but
a small cafe and tourist information area as well. Telecentres
can be built within the building or externally as booths for 24
hour availability. We wish to leave the precise details of the
station buildings to entrepreneurial opportunity. So far, for
example, the Pilsdon community has asked if they could build the
station at Pymore, as they are hoping to move into part of the
redeveloped Pymore village. They also wish to run the station
as part of a rehabilitation project. They have also asked if
it would be possible to have a pizza take-away service, to which
of course the answer is emphatically "Yes".
Alternative Maintenance Workshop Sites
We are currently in discussion with West Dorset District Council
about using additional land at West Bay for engine and carriage
maintenance workshops. These can be tourist attractions in their
own right. A building has also been offered in the Broomhills
area which currently has planning permission for agricultural
use but could be used subject to Change of Use under Planning
regulations.
Facilities for All
All stations and rolling stock will be designed to take disabled
wheelchairs and double pushchairs into the main passenger saloon
area. In addition there will be space for bicycles in the guard's
van or in separate wagons if demand requires. Our philosophy
is that the Railway should be available to all regardless of physical
or mental infirmity.
Sustrans Cycle Way Links
One of our Partners is Sustrans and they are very keen that our proposed cycle ways, either parallel to the line or at right angles, should link in with their trunk system. One of their main cycle routes travels East/West across the County through the Bridport area and our line will form a convenient North/South link. A drawing showing our suggested route is below. The Sustrans surveyor will be calling to see us soon to discuss the links in greater detail.
Information Superhighway
One of the prime objectives is to have a thoroughly modern railway
as part of an integrated transport system. To this end information
with regard to timetabling, train positions, bus positions and
fare structures is vital and all stations having Internet or cyber
booth facilities will ensure that this range of information is
immediately available. Having stations within walking distance
of virtually the whole of Bridport, West Bay and adjacent villages
will ensure that this information as well as the full facilities
of the Internet are available to the whole of the general public.
The Railway route will be ideal for laying high band fibre optic
cabling which can link in the short term with microwave radio
links to the national fibre optic system. In the longer term
when the railway links with the main line at Crewkerne, attachment
to the Railtrack system will be possible.
Need for Rural Challenge Support
This project, by public demand, is a regeneration project for
Bridport. It is essential that we win a Rural Challenge Prize
to ensure that we arrive at the regeneration stage as soon as
possible. The Railway, as a tourist attraction and a provider
of good services for local people, will form a sound basis for
the creation of allied industries with long term markets in the
extension of the Railway itself and also overseas. It is certainly
unique and has not so far featured in any other regeneration programmes,
so it is difficult to say whether it would have come about by
any other means. We are of the view it has got this far due to
the tremendous public support which extends way beyond the County
boundaries. It would also not have got this far without the strength
of the Partnership. The Partners would not in fact have come
together at all without the common thread of the Railway.
Practicability
The technical construction of the Railway should be fairly straightforward. The project has already been given permission in principle by West Dorset District Council Planning Department, which involved consultation with all the statutory authorities. A desk study of the geological conditions on the route has also now been completed and no unforeseen problems are expected. One of our Key Partners, an experienced local contractor, has also estimated the cost of the construction of the Railway and this has been checked by an independent Quantity Surveyor. We are exercising extreme caution in the early stages to ensure that a viable entity as a tourist attraction is achieved. This will provide an immediate source of revenue which will contribute towards the grant aid to achieve the manufacturing industries which are vital to the regeneration of Bridport. We have been in close contact with a Parliamentary Agent with regard to Orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992, and a draft order is being prepared.
The Key Objectives are as follows:-
I Generate New Industry
II Increase Tourism
III Provide New Facilities and Services
IV Provide Training
I Generate New Industry
Three New Industries
Three new industries will be created through this project. The
total estimated cost of generating these three industries is £1.6M.
The Railway System
The first is the Railway itself. We anticipate that 10 permanent
staff and 10 temporary staff during peak times will be required
to actually run and maintain Phase I of the Railway. These figures
are based upon market research of other railways in the country
and relate to the anticipated number of passengers carried. The
Swanage Railway for example carried approximately 8% to 10% of
the day-trippers visiting the Purbeck area before its extension
to Corfe and Park and Ride facilities.
About 2.5 million day trippers per year visit the West Dorset
area and 630,000 stayed for 4.9 million nights (1994). Assuming
we achieve a similar percentage of patronage as Swanage, we could
expect approximately 180,000 passengers a year which would support
10 full time jobs. However, Swanage Railway has doubled its figures
this year with the extension and Park and Ride, which if repeated
by ourselves would result in about 360,000 passengers a year and
20 full time jobs. Additional staff will be required at stations
where cyber cafes are proposed (West Bay and Bridport).
We anticipate that the initial cost of the construction of the
Railway will be in the order of £1.3M. We estimate that
the cost of hiring and/or assembling rolling stock for this phase
will be about £100,000. If for any reason there is a shortfall
in funding it would be possible to construct the Railway from
Bridport to Broomhills or Broomhills to West Bay at reduced cost.
The Railway will be entirely viable as a tourist attraction over
these reduced lengths and it would be possible to get from the
park and ride at Broomhills either into Bridport or West Bay.
Rolling Stock Construction
A second industry will be that associated with innovative rolling
stock construction. The construction of engines and carriages
will hopefully start at Broomhills. Here approximately £100,000
has been allowed for a simple industrial structure. There is
already some expertise in Bridport and we would expect additional
permanent staff to be employed. Opportunities will be available
for expansion, as necessary, at Gore Cross.
Signalling and Telecommunications
On behalf of the Brit Valley Railway new high-tech signalling
is currently being designed by Abbotsbury Software Ltd. As part
of their business they are keen on opening an industrial unit
at Gore Cross to assist with telecommunications links to the whole
of the industrial site. Colfox School is adjacent and there will
be opportunities to link the school not only with the industry
at Gore Cross, but also into the telecommunications network as
part of the Railway construction.
II Increase Tourism
Attractive Image
The Railway, in the first instance, will be sold as a tourist
attraction. The bulk of the expenditure in the first stages will
be in the construction of the Railway and its marketing to secure
early revenue income. The Railway will be new, innovative and
therefore attractive. Liveries have already been proposed for
the rolling stock as shown below.
Modern, Efficient Trains
We intend having a strong corporate image with regard to stock,
facilities and staffing and it should be seen to be clean, modern
and efficient. The objective is also to encourage people onto
the line who might otherwise have travelled by car - this will
have greater relevance as the line is extended to Crewkerne and
along the coast to Weymouth. In the long term, with good links
to the European Strategic Rail Route at Crewkerne, we expect tourism
numbers to increase dramatically. International trains through
the Channel Tunnel start this winter.
Heritage Coast
The coastline is designated a Heritage Coast already and there
are proposals to designate it a World Heritage Coastline. If
this is the case, then large numbers of tourists are likely to
come to the area through the gateway towns of Weymouth and Bridport.
These tourists will no doubt be coming out of season as well,
as the attractions include the geology, wild-life and flora of
the area. This augurs well for any all weather tourist attractions
like the Railway. The Railway will also help to decrease the reliance
on motor cars and help to contain visitors enabling them to see
the area without contributing to pollution, erosion and damage
to the environment.
Unique Tourism Markets
It is difficult to predict how many additional tourists are likely
to be attracted to the Railway in precise terms. Similar data
does not seem to be available for the Swanage Railway. Our own
market research would suggest that the Railway will attract large
numbers of additional people simply because it is a new line over
green fields, apparently the first to be built since the War.
Facilities for everybody together with cycle way and footpath
links will also attract. Our world contacts suggest that the Japanese
may well be interested. Notices in rolling stock and on stations
will be in five languages and we already have the necessary translators.
III Provide New Facilities and Services
Public Transport
The first facility will of course be additional public transport
for the people of Bridport and West Bay, and also for those tourists
arriving by public transport. Strong interest has been shown
by the elderly and retired, those of restricted mobility (for
whom even bus travel is not possible) and the schools for student
travel. Some 50 people stated in our Questionnaire that they would
commute between Bridport and West Bay on a daily basis.
Facilities at Stations
Facilities at stations are vital to compensate for those lost
in rural West Dorset over the years. The future lies in good
information and communications and the cyber cafe facility is
one that will gain increasing acceptance. As the Railway is inherited
by younger generations it will be an essential part of their way
of life. Full Internet facilities will be available at any station
where buildings are permitted under planning regulations, at
this stage West Bay and Bridport. We will continue to research
good indoor facilities at all other stations.
Additional Ancillary Facilities
Although we are suggesting a basic format for the station layout,
we are actively inviting entrepreneurial input for the use of
the station buildings. Tourist information with regard to the
West Dorset area and facilities within walking distance of the
station are obvious choices. Linking to cycle tracks extends
the range of interest and therefore information which can be provided
at stations. A natural corollary to cycle tracks is the provision
of bike hire at the stations with a co-ordinated system such that
bikes can be hired from one station and returned to another to
be brought back to base on the train. With the railway being
close to a supermarket we anticipate that restocking the stations
can take place easily without using road transport at all. In
addition, with good communication links, groceries and other household
items can be ordered at the stations to be delivered by train.
The provision of a parcel service similar to the Red Star system
would be possible. This will be particularly relevant when the
line joins the main line at Crewkerne.
Funding for Ancillary Facilities
Our estimates allow for a basic structural shell at stations.
Funding for additional services will be provided partially by
entrepreneurial input.
Emergency Facilities
The provision of external information booths open 24 hours a day
would be a facility not currently enjoyed in the Bridport area.
We anticipate that emergency information would be obtainable
at the touch of a button.
IV Provide Training
School Curriculum Links
The Brit Valley Railway is currently being shadowed by the Business
Studies Department at Colfox School - 25 students as part of their
GCSE course. We would anticipate that this could be replicated
every year. Next year 360 students will be taking technology,
a compulsory subject, and we would anticipate regular visits of
students to the railway during its construction phase and whilst
the industries develop. Next year Colfox will be investing £100,000
in new computers and they are looking for good telecommunication
links. As mentioned above the hope is for a Cyber Cafe at Gore
Cross which will be available to students. . Their computers will
be able to link with this system. A number of A level Geography
students are also using the Brit Valley Railway as a project and
up to 50 students per year take geography at A Level. We would
anticipate continuing assistance with the students in their studies.
Beaminster Comprehensive School which has close links with Colfox,
particularly at 6th form level, has also expressed an interest
in liaising in the same subject areas.
NVQ Courses
The railway will be able to support two full time trainees on
NVQ courses and a similar ratio (10 permanent staff to 2 trainees)
will be possible in the ancillary train manufacturing and signalling
design industries.
Education/Business Links
The Dorset Education Business Partnership is a very dynamic force
in West Dorset and will liaise closely. Primary school as well
as secondary school links can be forged. Projects are already
being formulated for research on disabled access, preparation
of a calendar for the railway, environmental schemes, and production
of I-Spy books associated with an environmental assessment carried
out by the students. We intend allowing £10,000 a year for
student/trainee/apprenticeship liaison and this is included in
our budgeting.
Project Trident
Project Trident will also be supported on an annual basis under
the personal and community challenge headings. Assistance with
the preparation of posters and Cyber Cafe advice were suggested.
Dorset TEC
The numbers of students in Dorset on modern apprenticeship and
futures training total approximately 2,600 (1996). These are
organised by Dorset TEC with whom we have close contacts and we
will liaise as necessary during the construction and operational
phases and as the ancillary businesses develop.
Community Council
The Community Council of Dorset has a mobile training van. The
van will be invited to park near the stations or railway, where
it is appropriate, to enhance the study programme.
Bridport Foyer
The Bridport Foyer Project which has been spearheaded by Magna Housing Association Ltd. (one of our partners) provides accommodation for young persons in the late teen/early 20's age group. The Foyer is within 200m of the proposed Bridport Station and we will liaise over the years to see where any form of training or job opportunity can exist.
Abilities Ltd.
Full disabled access will be maintained throughout the railway
system and therefore the project will be a genuine equal opportunities
employer. New industries in new premises will, of course, have
full disabled access. We are in close touch with Abilities Ltd.
at Maiden Newton Railway Station who have training projects in
hand for people of restricted mobility. We will liaise closely
to ensure that lack of mobility does not restrict opportunity.
Pilsdon Community
The Pilsdon Community is involved with the rehabilitation of handicapped
people. They have requested that they not only build Pymore Station,
but run it as well as part of their rehabilitation programme.
We are, of course, delighted with the proposition and trust that
it will lead to success. No restriction will be placed on facilities
offered at the station and the entrepreneurial spirit will be
encouraged. To help with supervision some accommodation has been
requested at the station. Station security will clearly be enhanced.
The main programmes of action which will achieve each key objective, the funding required to implement them, the outputs to be achieved over the three years and the key events against which progress will be measured are shown on the Tables Nos. 1A to 1F, 2A, 2B and 3 which follow. An extract from the Business Plan follows after Table 3, indicating revenue sources whilst the Railway is trading as a tourist attraction.
Table 1A
3 year plan
KEY OBJECTIVE: I Generate New Industry
MAIN AIMS: 1 To build and operate the Railway as a transport
system
| Programme of action | Key outputs | Funding £k | Key partners | |||||||||||
| Ref Title | Code | No. | Units | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | (£k funding | ||||||
| Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Budget | contribution) | ||||
| I/1/1 | 1A | 1 | bus. | 325 | 40 | 100 | 255 | 15 | 260 | 295 | 15 | 0 | 1305 | Melvyn |
| Build Railway from | 3A | 2 | bus. | Sparks | ||||||||||
| Bridport to West Bay | 3B | 1 | units | 150 | ||||||||||
| and operate as a | 3C | 330 | m2 | DCC | ||||||||||
| transport system | 4 | 1.36 | hect. | 50 | ||||||||||
| 6A | 10 | jobs | WDDC | |||||||||||
| 6C | 10 | pers. | 10 | |||||||||||
| 7B | 2 | pers. | BTC | |||||||||||
| 7C | 16 | pers. | 10 | |||||||||||
| 10C | 500 | pers. | Brit Valley | |||||||||||
| 10D | 1 | link | Railway plc | |||||||||||
| 10E | 500 | pers. | 210 | |||||||||||
| 12 | 0.1 | hect. | ||||||||||||
| 13 | 50 | pers. | ||||||||||||
| 15 | 360 | £k | ||||||||||||
| Objective
Totals | 325 | 40 | 100 | 255 | 15 | 260 | 295 | 15 | 0 | 1305 | ||||
Table 1B
3 year plan
KEY OBJECTIVE: I Generate New Industry
MAIN AIMS: 2 To set up the infrastructure for new Railway Building
Industry
| Programme of action | Key outputs | Funding £k | Key partners | |||||||||||
| Ref Title | Code | No. | Units | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | (£k funding | ||||||
| Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Budget | contribution) | ||||
| I/2/1 | 1A | 1 | bus. | 10 | 70 | 30 | 110 | Brit Valley | ||||||
| Set up industrial | 3A | 1 | unit | Railway plc | ||||||||||
| unit to house | 4 | 0.06 | hect. | 40 | ||||||||||
| industry | 6A | 5 | jobs | |||||||||||
| 6C | 5 | pers. | ||||||||||||
| 7B | 1 | pers. | ||||||||||||
| 7C | 6 | pers. | ||||||||||||
| 7E | 7 | pers. | ||||||||||||
| 15 | 40 | £k | ||||||||||||
| Objective
Totals | 10 | 70 | 30 | 110 | ||||||||||
Table 1C
3 year plan
KEY OBJECTIVE: I Generate New Industry
MAIN AIMS: 3 To set up signal and telecommunications industry
| Programme of action | Key outputs | Funding £k | Key partners | |||||||||||
| Ref Title | Code | No. | Units | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | (£k funding | ||||||
| Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Budget | contribution) | ||||
| I/3/1 | 1A | 1 | bus. | 40 | 30 | 70 | Abbotsbury | |||||||
| Set up industrial | 3A | 1 | unit | Software Ltd | ||||||||||
| unit to house | 4 | 0.06 | hect. | 30 | ||||||||||
| industry | 6A | 5 | jobs | |||||||||||
| 6C | 5 | pers. | ||||||||||||
| 7B | 1 | pers. | ||||||||||||
| 7C | 6 | pers. | ||||||||||||
| 7E | 7 | pers. | ||||||||||||
| 15 | 30 | £k | ||||||||||||
| Objective
Totals | 40 | 30 | 70 | |||||||||||
Table 1D
3 year plan
KEY OBJECTIVE: II Increase Tourism
MAIN AIMS: 1 To operate the Railway as a Tourist Attraction.
| Programme of action | Key outputs | Funding £k | Key partners | |||||||||||
| Ref Title | Code | No. | Units | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | (£k funding | ||||||
| Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Budget | contribution) | ||||
| II/1/1 | 6A | 5 | jobs | 50 | 50 | 100 | Brit Valley | |||||||
| To operate | 6C | 5 | pers. | Railway plc | ||||||||||
| Railway as a | 7B | 1 | pers. | 50 from share | ||||||||||
| Tourist | 13 | 10 | pers. | issue | ||||||||||
| Attraction | 15 | 100 | £k | 50 from | ||||||||||
| 16A | 180k | pers. | revenue | |||||||||||
| 16B | 300 | £k | ||||||||||||
| Objective
Totals | 50 | 50 | 100 | |||||||||||
Table 1E
3 year plan
KEY OBJECTIVE: III Provide New Facilities and Services
MAIN AIMS: 1 To install Cyber cafes and information areas in
station buildings
| Programme of action | Key outputs | Funding £k | Key partners | |||||||||||
| Ref Title | Code | No. | Units | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | (£k funding | ||||||
| Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Budget | contribution) | ||||
| III/1/1 | 6A | 2 | pers. | 20 | 30 | 50 | Brit Valley | |||||||
| Provide | 6E | 2 | pers. | Railway plc | ||||||||||
| Cyber cafes and | 10A | 2 | units | 50 over 2 | ||||||||||
| information areas | 10B | 5 | serv. | years from | ||||||||||
| 10C | 5000 | pers. | revenue | |||||||||||
| 15 | 50 | £k | ||||||||||||
| Objective
Totals | 20 | 30 | 50 | |||||||||||
Table 1F
3 year plan
KEY OBJECTIVE: IV Provide Training
MAIN AIMS: 1 To improve training of young people
| Programme of action | Key outputs | Funding £k | Key partners | |||||||||||
| Ref Title | Code | No. | Units | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | (£k funding | ||||||
| Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Rural Challenge | Other public | Private | Budget | contribution) | ||||
| IV/1/1 | 7C | 200 | pers. | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 30 | Brit Valley | |||
| To provide | 15 | 15 | £k | Railway plc | ||||||||||
| training and work | 15 over 3 | |||||||||||||
| experience | years from | |||||||||||||
| revenue | ||||||||||||||
| Objective
Totals | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 30 | |||||||
Table 2A
Summary of Outputs over three years
Total Outputs
Code No. Units
1A 3 bus.
3A 4 bus.
3B 1 unit.
3C 330 sq.m
4 1.48 hect.
6A 27 jobs
6C 27 jobs
7B 5 pers.
7C 272 pers.
10C 5500 pers.
10D 1 link
10E 500 pers.
12 0.1 hect.
13 60 pers.
15 595 £k
16A 220k pers.
16B 300 £k
Table 2B
Summary of Funding over three years
Rural Challenge Funding Requirements
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
£330k £370k £300k
Private Sector Funding over three years
Melvyn Sparks £150k
Abbotsbury Software Ltd. £30k
Brit Valley Railway plc £300k (share issue)
Brit Valley Railway plc £115k (from revenue)
Public Sector Funding Requirement over three years
Dorset County Council £50k
West Dorset District Council £10k (see also pages 16 and
36)
Bridport Town Council £10k
Leverage Ratio
Rural Challenge : Private = 1.0 : 0.59
Table 3
Key Events over three years
Key objective Key Event Target Date
I Generate New Form plc Autumn 1996
Industry
Obtain Planning Permission for Railway Dec 1996
Obtain Planning Permission for Industrial Unit February 1997
Agree Leases with Landowners April 1997
Obtain Transport & Works Order Dec 1997
Commence revenue earning services Mar 1998
| BRIT VALLEY RAILWAY | |||||||||||||
| SIMPLIFIED CASH FLOW FORECAST 1999 | |||||||||||||
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | TOTAL | |
| BALANCE B/FWD | 10000 | 8528 | 9907 | 13685 | 41558 | 81433 | 76483 | 65951 | 94902 | 67754 | 79891 | 84141 | |
| INCOME | |||||||||||||
| Fare Revenue | 12440 | 14216 | 20338 | 24009 | 26776 | 34571 | 36950 | 45568 | 36950 | 27611 | 17060 | 14195 | 310684 |
| Shop Sales | 768 | 1132 | 2640 | 3624 | 4320 | 6432 | 7080 | 9360 | 7080 | 4632 | 1968 | 1128 | 50164 |
| VAT on Stock/Refund | 0 | 0 | 542 | 0 | 0 | 1705 | 0 | 0 | 2668 | 0 | 0 | 874 | 5789 |
| Share Capital - Ordinary/Preference | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20000 | 30000 | 30000 | 20000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100000 |
| TOTAL | 13208 | 15348 | 23520 | 47633 | 61096 | 72708 | 64030 | 54928 | 46698 | 32243 | 19028 | 16197 | 466637 |
| EXPENDITURE | |||||||||||||
| Capital Equipment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50000 | 50000 | 0 | 50000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 150000 |
| Wages/Sub contract | 5996 | 5996 | 6945 | 8287 | 8829 | 8829 | 9097 | 9097 | 8829 | 8287 | 5596 | 5596 | 91384 |
| Advertising/Promotions | 1000 | 100 | 100 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 500 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 7000 |
| Rent - Land/Buildings | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 24000 |
| Fuel/Water | 1000 | 1000 | 1250 | 1250 | 1500 | 2000 | 2500 | 2500 | 2000 | 2000 | 1500 | 1000 | 19500 |
| Insurance | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 18000 |
| Uniform Business Rate | 300 | 300 | 300 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 4500 |
| Electricity/Gas | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 3600 |
| Telephone/Fax | 150 | 150 | 500 | 150 | 150 | 550 | 150 | 150 | 600 | 150 | 150 | 500 | 3350 |
| Printing/Stationery/Post | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 1800 |
| Motor/Travel Expenses | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 3000 |
| Accountant/Audit/Legal | 0 | 0 | 2500 | 0 | 0 | 2500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5000 |
| Maintenance | 500 | 500 | 1000 | 500 | 500 | 2000 | 500 | 500 | 1000 | 500 | 500 | 2000 | 10000 |
| Sundries/Contingency | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 | 9000 |
| Shop Purchases | 600 | 750 | 1750 | 2500 | 3000 | 4250 | 4750 | 6000 | 4500 | 3000 | 1250 | 750 | 33100 |
| VAT on Purchases | 105 | 131 | 306 | 437 | 525 | 743 | 831 | 1050 | 787 | 525 | 218 | 131 | 5789 |
| Bank Charges @ 6% of turnover | 79 | 92 | 141 | 286 | 367 | 436 | 384 | 330 | 280 | 194 | 114 | 97 | 2800 |
| TOTAL | 14680 | 13969 | 19742 | 19760 | 21221 | 77658 | 74562 | 25977 | 73846 | 20106 | 14778 | 15524 | 391823 |
| MONTHLY INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) | -1472 | 1379 | 3778 | 27873 | 39875 | -4950 | -10532 | 28951 | -27148 | 12137 | 4250 | 673 | 74814 |
| CUMULATIVE POSITION | 8528 | 9907 | 13685 | 41558 | 81433 | 76483 | 65951 | 94902 | 67754 | 79891 | 84141 | 84814 | 74814 |
| Document no BVR17 | |||||||||||||
| NOTES | |||||||||||||
| Passenger figures calculated from: | |||||||||||||
| 1. Park and Ride - Passing Trade/Day Visitor | 2. Local 'Commuter' Passengers | VAT on expenditure ignored | |||||||||||
| a) Dorset County Council - Transport Policies and Programs | from public consultation questionnaire | for the purposes of this simplistic | |||||||||||
| Traffic Volumes A35 | based on Bridport and West Bay. | indications only forecast. | |||||||||||
| b) Secretary of State - Transport The Way Ahead | |||||||||||||
| South West Debate | 3. Overnight stay tourists - Dorset County Council | Taxation ignored for simplicity. | |||||||||||
| c) Other local railways and attractions along A35 | West Dorset Tourism Facts. | ||||||||||||
Commitment of Key Partners
The Brit Valley Railway Limited consists of the three Directors
Ken Caldwell, David Negus and Simon Brody. The commitment of
the three Directors to the project is valued at approximately
£45,000 in terms of time spent and expenses committed to
date. A large part of this commitment is in terms of civil, electrical
and mechanical design, obtaining Planning Approval in principle
and discussions with statutory authorities and land owners.
The Brit Valley Railway plc will be formed shortly and the public
will be invited to buy shares. The intention is that the share
issue holding should be limited per person to ensure that ownership
is as wide as possible and no controlling interest is established.
Considerable interest has been shown in the prospective flotation
of the Company and a list of names has been assembled in anticipation
of those people buying shares. Both small and large investors
have shown an interest, despite the policy of the Directors of
the Company that the dividend issue will be minimal and that the
investment should not be seen as purely commercial. If there
is a shortfall in the take up of shares, we feel that it will
be simply a matter of time before the difficulty will be resolved.
Winning the Rural Challenge Bid should, together with associated
publicity, resolve any problems.
Melvyn Sparks', contractor, contribution of £150,000 discount on the civil engineering side of the construction of the Railway is confirmed. The new junction off the trunk road at Broomhills is on Melvyn Spark