Future Plans

Extending the operating railway from Killington Lane to Parracombe

This is the current priority following members feedback to the options survey carried out during the summer 2025.

Further investigation and assessment work was caried out on the track bed between Cricket Field Lane and Parracombe during the winter of 2025. Engagement meetings have been held with  the local community through an Extraordinary Parish Council meeting in Parracombe, an open event at the village hall and one-to-one meetings with landowners and other interested parties, to carefully considered the views and concerns of local people. In addition, we have also considered pre-application advice from ENPA officers.

A planning application for an extension to the railway to Parracombe was submitted to the Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) on Friday 24th July 2026. The documents can be viewed on ENPA’s web site via the button below together with a timeline showing progress towards the decision date which is not yet decided. 

Subject to approval of the planning application by the end of the year a start on the extension from Killington Lane is currently anticipated during summer 2027.

Preparation of the track bed from Blackmoor Gate to Wistlandpound

Although this is a secondary priority, preliminary works are progressing.

Bridges 54 and 55 were renovated and re-constructed in 2019. The railway boundaries have recently been fenced across Bridwick Farm.

A hardcore access route has been laid from Old Station Inn towards Bridge 55 that will be used for future construction access. In the interim it may occasionally be open as a walking route from Old Station Inn as far as Bridge 54, where the public bridleway known as Pound Lane provides a link to the Calvert Trust site and onward to Wistlandpound reservoir. Sufficient land has been fenced to accommodate a permanent path parallel with the railway when fully reinstated.

Negotiations with South West Water are progressing to obtain a lease over the track bed from Bridge 53 to the Wistlandpound Halt site. When that has been finalised, preparatory groundwork may be undertaken to prepare the formation of the track bed between Bridge 53 (Wistlandpound Lane) and Wistlandpound Halt site.

When work commences to clear the infilled cuttings at Killington Lane and Parracombe Lane the excavated material will be used to raise ground level beside Old Station Inn to accommodate the new Blackmoor Station which already has planning approval from North Devon Council.

Updated: 3/08/2026