To all intents and purposes it will appear to everyone not directly connected with the Norton project that although the grass continues to grow and the sheep continue to graze little else is happening. Well, of course nothing could be further from the truth and the WSRA Board continues to drive the project at 'fast track' speeds.

Following the receipt of Conditional Planning approval we submitted a full Flood Risk Assessment to TDBC and the EA with details of our proposals to ensure the unimpeded flow of water across the land. This received approval which satisfied three of the conditions imposed on us. We have also had discussion with Taunton Deane Borough Council about the landscaping to be applied to the scheme and are close to reaching agreement which will satisfy a further condition. (Please keep your Petunias handy!) Four down - four to go!

Network Rail are progressing our application for the short remaining section of the Barnstaple Branch and this is expected to be cleared within a relatively short space of time.

There are now a number of statutory approvals we must gain from the Environment Agency, National Grid and other authorities. We have therefore entered an application for approval of the detail design of the necessary culverts, and must wait for the ten week approval period to lapse. We have also entered a preliminary application for exemption from the waste licensing regulations to allow us to import clean rubble to form the embankments and again must await approval. We are talking to National Grid about the restrictions imposed by the overhead powerlines, and in due course will have to submit further details to Wessex Water and Western Power where we affect their utility works that cross the land. This necessary 'red tape' does of course take up a considerable amount of time but is essential if we are to continue to receive the wide support we have had from everyone concerned up to date.

We will shortly have to take our proposals to the Railway Inspectorate to gain their comments and approval for the full scheme.

The information we have already generated has enabled a Construction Specification to be written for a Contractor to carry out the work and we have begun to approach a number of potentially suitable Contractors to shortlist those who wish to quote for the work involved. It is expected that it will be at least October and maybe beyond before we are likely to have enough information to review the quotes and consider letting work.

At the current rate of progress, and assuming our proposals receive the necessary approvals and clearances we hope to be able to start work on site early in the New Year. This of course will be very weather dependant and it may be that no significant groundworks can start until the ground begins to dry out in the spring. All we shall then need is a few thousand tons of ballast, the odd mile of so of track, a couple of leads and a train to test the whole thing out...

We will continue to keep you informed about progress, and thank everyone for their ongoing support and patience....now where did I put my lawnmower that field needs mowing again!

1 September 2005 
Details from WSRA