The L&B Trust has submitted seven planning applications to extend the railway to Blackmoor Gate and Wistlandpound Reservoir. These have now all been approved by Exmoor National Park Authority and North Devon Council.
The Trust says the extension will support 24 fulltime jobs directly and many more in the wider service sector locally. Apprentices will also be trained in the engineering centre. The net local economic benefit compared to current operations is calculated as an additional £62 million into the local area over the first ten years of construction and operation.
Armed with the planning permission, the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust (a not-for-profit registered charity) has embarked on raising the funds needed to carry out the next stage of the restoration of the legendary steam railway.
Meanwhile, the £1.65m "Return to Parracombe Appeal" has raised more than £50k in less than two weeks. This aims to rebuild the railway 1600 years from the current terminus at Killington Lane.
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