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The following is an abridged copy of a statement made today on our website:
Shortly before Christmas, the railway met with Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Transport, for an update on the TRAC project. At the meeting, the railway was informed of the probability that the project would not go ahead, and this was confirmed officially in a press release a few days later.
In a Radio Cornwall interview on 21st December with Bert Biscoe and local Cornwall Councillor Alex Folkes, it was made clear that the money spent to date at Launceston and Bude has been clawed back by DEFRA, effectively ending the project. At Launceston however, Cornwall Council intend to construct a short length of off- road trail of about one third of a mile, ending at the long-established scrapyard in Underlane.
The railway has now received a formal letter from Cornwall Council's legal advisors in Leeds stating that no further action will be taken with regard to the project.
Cornwall Council still retains the ambition to link the Camel and Tarka trails (subject to the availability of funding), without compromising the railway's future, and the railway has expressed its willingness to meet with senior officers to discuss ways in which this might be achieved.
The railway is most grateful to all those who have expressed their support to prevent Cornwall Council from blocking off any future extension to Launceston's major and nationally known tourist attraction.
Charlie
LSR
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