Heritage rail supporters have called for a two-year moratorium on the removal of rail lines in the North-East after a heated public question time at Dorset Council’s August meeting.
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Wendy McLennan, community liaison officer for Launceston and North East Railway, said heritage rail supporters attended the meeting on Monday for a chance to ask about figures in the council’s rail trail proposal, which has already received federal funding, and whether they would reconsider it.
The meeting resulted in accusations of aggressive behaviour and harassment by both councillors and members of the public.
Ms McLennan said the group would like to see an expansion of the bike trail from Billycock Hill to Derby, without the removal of any heritage rail line.
“We’re hoping to get a moratorium on it for two years,” she said.
“Continue the bike trail, leave the railway alone. Run a train from Launceston to Scottsdale, that can carry bikes that can ride the trail.”
In a statement posted to the Dorset Council Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Greg Howard called out “the L&NER Spokesperson [sic] and some of the heritage rail supporters” who attended the meeting.
Councillor Howard accused the attendees of abuse and aggressive behaviour, and making false accusations about a comment they say he made.
“Last night some of the railway supporters at the meeting were not interested in the answers but were only there to have a fight,” he said.
Ms McLennan said Cr Howard’s accusations were “unbelievable”.
“They’re trying to bring down my credibility. They’re not looking at the issue, they’re trying to bring down the person,” she said.
People have this week taken to social media criticising the actions of some council members.
Complaints have also been raised with the state government.
The council meeting comes after the state government last month released its proposal supporting both the Dorset Council development of a bike trail between Scottsdale and Lilydale Falls, and a two-stage heritage rail project between Lilydale and Coldwater Creek.
The Department of State Growth is engaging with both proponents to move forward with legislation to give access to the corridor.
A draft corridor notice will then need to be approved by both houses of Parliament.
