RESIDENTS in West Devon and East Cornwall are being asked to take part in a new study which will look at the value the Tamar Valley Line has to the local community.

Gunnislake, Calstock and Bere Peninsula residents are being sought to take part in the transport survey for the study.

All aspects of the line’s value are being investigated, including the access it provides local people to employment, education and shopping in Plymouth, connectivity with the rest of the country and its role in helping tourists visit the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The study is the initiative of Calstock and Gunnislake’s Cornwall Councillor Dorothy Kirk and is being carried out by the passenger transport specialists, the TAS Partnership on behalf of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

Explaining the importance of this research, Cllr Kirk said: ‘Our little railway, which must be one of the most beautiful to be found anywhere, is of vital importance to our communities, linking us to the rest of the world and providing access to employment, education, shopping and entertainment.

‘I hope that the community will view this survey as a means of highlighting the Tamar Valley Line’s importance to the people of the valley and thus help make the case for its improvement and development.’

Due for completion in the spring, the study is being funded by Cornwall Council, Cllr Kirk’s localities’ funding and also, through the rail partnership, the Designated Community Rail Development Fund, which is backed by the Department for Transport and the Association of Community Rail Partnerships.

Hearing the views of those who rarely, if ever, use the trains will be vital to the study. The survey is available online at www.tamarvalleysurvey.com Alternatively, hard copies of the survey will be available at the following places early in the New Year: Bere Ferrers, Margaret’s Hairdressers; Bere Alston, John Brown’s Stores; Gunnislake Post office; Calstock Bear Necessities Mobile Shop (on the quay).

On three days in January, on-train surveyors will also be asking passengers about their travel patterns and for their views on the current service and what improvements they would like to see.