New station gets the green light... seven years after first discussions

Torquay’s new railway station has been given the go-ahead.
But on-street parking spaces near the new station at Edginswell – already in demand – will have to cope with any extra traffic the new station creates.
Torbay Council’s planning committee heard that the new station could even lead to a fall in demand for parking as people used the train to get to nearby businesses and Torbay Hospital rather than driving.
It is seven years since the committee first considered plans for the station.
The earlier version of the proposal included a 29-space car park, but that has gone from the latest plans. People will be encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to the station. And ramps in the original plans have now been replaced by lifts.
Forty-five on-street parking spaces on Newton Road are available just outside the new station.
Dr Rodney Horder, of the Torquay Neighbourhood Plan Forum, said: “We would all like to see a shift away from private cars, but realistically the demand will continue for some time.”
And local resident Richard Brown said that while he supported the new station, the ramps should be reinstated as there would inevitably be times when the lifts were broken.
Committee chairman Clr Jackie Thomas (Con, Kings Ash) said: “This scheme is going to be so beneficial for our residents. It’s in a sustainable location and it supports our economy.”
And Cllr Nick Pentney (Lib Dem, Tormohun) added: “There are some concerns around parking and access, but they are not enough to warrant turning this down.”
Torbay Council will now set out its case for government funding for the new station.
Meanwhile, Network Rail has confirmed that more than the 96 per cent of the rail network will be open for ‘business as usual' over Christmas and New Year, while revealing the engineering work that will disrupt some services, particularly in South East England.
The seasonal programme of works, costing £127million, is lighter than in recent years. There was more disruption last year.
No services will run from London Paddington between Sunday 24 and Wednesday 27 December; long-distance services will terminate at Reading with onward travel to either Ealing Broadway or London Waterloo.
Network Rail is urging passengers to check their journey in advance, which they can do by visiting National Rail Enquiries or checking with their train operator.
Lawrence Bowman, network strategy director for Network Rail, said: “We understand how important this time of year is for our passengers for reconnecting with family and friends.”