The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Rural Connections
Inquiry into Exe Valley railway closure
From the collection of:
Overview
TV reporter Terry Fleet attends an inquiry at Tiverton by Devon County Council into the rail closure proposals following the 1962 Transport Act. The Exe Valley Railway, the isolation of rural communities and fears for the future of farming in the area are at stake. Chair of the Transport Users' Committee Major General Abraham and Mr Alfors of Heathcoat Mill are interviewed on the proposed closure of the line.
The Exe Valley Railway line from Bampton to Brampford Speke used to connect rural communities to the market town of Tiverton and the Bristol to Exeter Mainline which opened in 1844. In 1848 Tiverton Road station is renamed Tiverton Junction located at Willand. The Transport Act 1962 and Lord Beeching's railway reform cut a third of all lines including the Exe Valley line which closed in 1963. In 1986 Tiverton Parkway opened at the old station site of Sampford Peverell. The buildings at Willand are demolished in 1991 but the Tiverton loops and engineering sheds are still in use.