A MEETING of Connect Bude, the action group whose aim is to reconnect Bude and Holsworthy to the national rail network via Okehampton, was held at the Falcon Hotel, Bude, on Tuesday evening, January 16, writes Christine Williams.

The chairman, Richard Wolfenden Brown, reported that there had been a lot of positive interest and support from the public for the project at a pop-up membership drive held in the Triangle the previous Saturday when eight new members and 12 new supporters signed up.

There would be further similar events held in the coming months including at Holsworthy and possibly Halwill Junction. Devon County Councillor Barry Parsons had been contacted and was very keen. Richard said: “In order to turn heads at Westminster we need to sign up as many people as possible as Connect Bude members and supporters in order to demonstrate the depth and breadth of feeling both locally and further afield with regard to improving connectivity to the proposed daily trial rail service from Okehampton and ultimately in reinstating the rail line to Bude.”

Treasurer and membership secretary Mike Moore said they now had 50 members including one corporate member and 23 supporters. They had joined Travel Watch South West and representatives of Connect Bude had attended a 50 strong meeting at County Hall Exeter with delegates from across the South West. It was clear GWR were very enthusiastic and wanted to push forward plans to provide a commuter service to Exeter. They were also in the process of joining Railfuture, a voluntary group representing rail users and the UK’s leading independent organisation campaigning for better rail services.

Local transport connections were also discussed at the Bude Community Network Panel’s meeting on January 8, attended by Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for local transport. The council were being asked to subsidise a bus service to Okehampton station for the three year trial rail service. A bus service from Bude to Bodmin Parkway would also solve the impossibility of getting from Bude to Truro and back in a day by public transport.

Members were currently responding to the department for transport’s community rail consultation on four themes: Connecting people to places and opportunities; Integrating communities to create a fairer society and encourage diversity and inclusion; Supporting local and regional economies and sharing opportunities; Suggesting innovative ways to improve the way the railway works — including productive use of underused or unused railway land and stations.

On behalf of Connect Bude, experience railway consultant David Hill Smith had already prepared a detailed response on how the four key themes might apply to Bude.

Drawing attention to Connect Bude’s website and Facebook page, Mr Wolfenden Brown said: “It is important that we get that message across so that as many people as possible feel inspired to support our aims. We live in a democracy and if enough people get on board to express their support then nothing is impossible.”

For more information on Connect Bude visit their website www.connectbude.uk or their Facebook page.