The Avocet Line Rail Users Group was founded in 2007 and has grown in size, stature and strength since then. Stated simply the objective of the group is to represent the interests of users of the line and to work for improvements to services and facilities. It does this by dialogue and partnership with a number of partners, including First Great Western, the current franchise holder, Network Rail, who own the track and stations, Devon County Council and a number of local, regional and national passenger and rail industry bodies.
ALRUG is a membership group – members get benefits including a regular newsletter for a very modest annual fee. ALRUG relies on membership income and small grants to fund its work. We have over 200 paid-up members – join us now.
You can also contact us with any queries or comments about the Avocet Line.
Our successes already include:
- a taxi rank at Exmouth station
- an earlier start to Sunday services in winter
- other improvements to the timetable for the line
- promotional leaflets, including “Your Guide to Wild Birds”
- planting schemes at Topsham, Exton and Lympstone village
- various small but useful station improvements
- provision of information on ALRUG station notice boards
- a better bus service when the line is closed for repairs
- high level discussions about increasing capacity in the longer term
- regular monitoring of cancellations, overcrowding, short formed trains etc
- award winning celebrations of the 150th birthday of the line
Membership & meetings
Members receive our newsletter 3 times a year, have a members only area on this website and are invited to our AGM, members meetings and social events.
Officers
The Officers of the Group are (2011/12 committee):
- Tony Day: Chairman
- Noel Harrison: Vice Chairman and leader of Long Term Group
- Tony Jackson: Treasurer
- Mike Reddaway: Secretary
- Richard Giles: Press Officer and Newsletter Editor
- Gerry Hurfurt: Membership Secretary
- Diana Hurfurt: Communications Secretary
- Sarah Ward: Noticeboards
- Tom Reardon, Don Mildenhall, Tim Brennan, Linda Potter : Committee Members
