Yeoford NetworkRail Communication Mast

Tarka Line GSM-R Mast Action Group
Contents Front Page News Planning GSM-R Letters Elsewhere Links Contacts Counter maintained by Nigel Richardson comments welcome. Last update 10 Jun 2004		Network Rail shelves plan to install 11 communiction masts 33 metres high on the Tarka Line ? Latest News - 10th October 2004 Madelène Klaasen-Bos (Network Rail - Head of Communications, GSM-R Project) sent the following letter on 8th June. I am afraid the recent incorrect news coverage has caused confusion, we are not sure why there has been a renewed interest in the project as there has been no change in the situation from our point of view. Indeed we have made no announcements or had any dialogue in the region at all. When I briefed North Devon County Council in October I explained that we would be prioritising high speed and certain strategic conventional main lines - those lines where GSM-R is compulsory. This part of the project is now in build in two parts of the country, Strathclyde and in the Peterborough area. This phase is scheduled to be complete by December 2006. The other railway lines will be covered in order of descending priority. The Tarka line itself continues to be due for renewal of its communications system as the current system will become life expired. At this moment in time we estimate any build activity to take place in 2009-2010. Exactly what the system specification will be, we do not know at this stage and in the coming years Paul Jenkins and his project engineers will be considering solutions for rural branch lines. Please do bear in mind that the Great Western Mainline through Exeter will require full GSM-R and some of this build will take place from 2008. Nearer the time of planned build, Network Rail will submit its plans via the official channels. I trust this information is sufficient. The Mast, Yeoford & the other locations to enlarge click on the picture Is the GSM-R communication system required? How can the infra-structure be designed to minimise environmental impact? How do we make Network Rail respond to the views of local community? Network Rail seems to be taking these questions seriously at last. Our action group and our local councils will continue to monitor the situation. Website - maintained by Nigel Richardson Please contact me if you have any corrections, additions or complaints Counter