Looe and Liskeard

Thanks to Peter Murnaghan for the latest update from Looe:

Looe Road Closure

Transport for Cornwall have now published the arrangements for buses that would normally connect Looe with Polperro, but will be blocked by the road closure starting on Monday, 4th November and lasting until late December.  I understand that a measurement was undertaken to see if buses could operate between Millpool car park in Looe and Polperro, but the road geometry could not accommodate buses making the turn.

So the following notice has been published, which cuts all buses between the towns, with the exception of minibus operated Route 481, which will, presumably, operate via the historic West Looe Hill.

https://www.gocornwallbus.co.uk/polperro-road-closure-4thnovember

Other news from South East Cornwall.

The planned Transport Hub in the former Cattle Market, Dean Street, Liskeard now appears on Cornwall Council's planning application page.  This has come about, as a result of the Town Council developing an Active Travel policy, to promote realistic alternatives to the private car, involving cycling measures, improved walking routes and better bus infrastructure to reduce the congestion that often occurs at the current stops at Liskeard Parade.  The small bus station will involve the demolition of a number of unused buildings and provide 5 stops alongside the existing Market Cafe.

The plans can be seen at http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-applications/online-planning-register/ and entering the application number PA24/07022.

It is not known when this new Transport Hub will be built, as it is subject to planning approval and funds being made available.

Current Planned Route Changes

As mentioned yesterday I have made a change in how I publish details of route changes as the government download is running so far behind these days. If you go the the top of this page you will see a new Planned Service Changes menu

or follow this link

http://www.plymothiantransit.com/p/planned-service-changes.html

This new page will have all the current service changes I am aware of for each month (from October). Each month is in route number order to make it easier to find things. As usual you can click through to the route pages for more details and timetables / maps etc as they get updated. I update this page whenever I have any updates worth adding.  Anything of interest will also be noted within the main blog pages but this is the new one stop page for the latest information! 

As always I welcome any comments / corrections / suggestions 

Looe Works

News from Peter Murnghan of major works which will cause disruption to services in Looe:

From 4th November until 20th December, Cornwall Council plans to close Polperro Road in Looe to undertake soil nailing and piling works at the site of an earlier landslip, which is just in front of the bus, in my picture

© Peter Murnaghan

While the closure is going on, exceptions will be made for emergency service vehicles and school buses only.  This is the main route out of Looe towards the west. The only other route out of West Looe, the narrow historic West Looe Hill, is unsuitable as a diversionary route and has a width restriction banning lorries and buses.

So the published diversionary route is over 20 miles long, via Trerulefoot, the A38 Liskeard bypass, East Taphouse and Pelynt. Those who know the Polperro Road will appreciate how many bus services use it between Looe, Pelynt and Polperro and it is difficult to believe that the buses would really go around the country on diversion to link these points.

I understand that the council is unable to close half of the road width, to allow alternate flows, because of the length of the soil nails and the machinery needed to drive them into the weak ground below the domestic property.

Thanks Peter for the photo – will be interesting to see how this pans out over the coming weeks…

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This would normally have been the weekly post looking back at service changes registered over the past week – but for a change there weren't any! 

There are plenty in the pipeline for November though, including most of the Callywith services. Details to follow over the coming weeks.

Diversion

Late news for Plymouth Citybus which as it starts from this weekend just gone appears here now rather than waits for the next Cornwall Transit edition. VOSA does appear to be taking its time to get these through the system at the moment…

Due to the road closure above the service 73 will have a revised timetable between the above dates. This will also include a diversion from Sandplace via Morval and Widegates before arriving in Looe. The 72 will also see the removal of the Sunday service but this will be covered by the 73 revised Sunday Timetable during this road closure.

• 72 Plymouth City Centre - Saltash - Looe - Pelynt
• 73 Liskeard - Looe - Pelynt - Polperro
• 73A Liskeard - Looe - Pelynt - Polperro
• 73B Looe - Liskeard

Richard Smith: 30 June 2015

Liskeard - Looe Valley Line

Walkers of all ages are invited to join a festive ramble and railway ride in the Looe Valley. The event on Wednesday, December 20, is one of a series of popular monthly walks organised by Caradon District Council. Ramblers are asked to meet at 9.30am at Liskeard railway station ready to board the 9.51am train for the scenic journey to Looe.Guides will then lead the group on a five-mile ramble through native oak woodland and plantation along the West Looe river valley.There will be a lunch break at the Plough Inn, Duloe, followed by a short walk to the station at Causeland for a train ride back to Liskeard, where the group will be greeted by mulled wine and carols.The Rail and River Ramble is free of charge, but places need to be booked in advance.Walkers will also need to bring or buy their own lunches.To find out more contact Pat Gormley on 01579 348749.
A great opportunity for a free ride on this very attractive line

Looe Valley Line

Seen resting in Plymouth this weekend is class 153 unit 153369.

As you can see from the livery this one operates the Looe Valley Line which is described as one of the "Great Scenic Railways of Devon and Cornwall".

Other links: Looe Valley Line Wikipedia.