OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
Plus parts of the South Hams and West Devon
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

RAILWAYS IN OLD PLYMOUTH  |  MAIN LINE, BRENT STATION TO PLYMOUTH STATION (MILLBAY)

BITTAFORD PLATFORM

A general view of Bittaford Platform looking towards Ivybridge.
©  Western Morning News.

Bittaford Platform, between Wrangaton Station and Ivybridge Station, was recorded in 1955 as being 232 miles 77 chains milepost mileage from London Paddington Station via Bristol Temple Meads.  The ruling gradient approaching Bittaford Platform was 1 in 120 falling and beyond it towards Ivybridge Station was 1 in 67 falling.

An Up train approaching Bittaford Platform.
From the author's collection.

Both Down and ^Up trains were restricted to 50mph between 232 miles 70 chains and 233 miles 10 chains (and ^vice versa), while passing through Bittaford Platform.

A Great Western stopping train pauses at Bittaford Halt
on its way towards Newton Abbot.
©  Lens of Sutton.

Although originally announced to be opened on November 4th 1907, Bittaford Platform was in fact opened to passenger traffic only by the Great Western Railway Company on Monday November 18th 1907.  When the intended timetable of trains that would call at Bittaford was published it was found that it would have a better service than Wrangaton Station.  The residents at Wrangaton protested and when Bittaford Platform was opened it had a service of eight Down trains and six Up trains compared to Wrangaton's ten Down and eleven Up trains.  Only two trains called at Bittaford on Sundays but five at Wranagton.

A Down train at Bittaford Platform.
© Lens of Sutton.

Within less than a year it was reported in the local press that the traffic generated at Bittaford Halte, as they named it, had greatly reduced that at Wrangaton Station because it was much more convenient for visitors to the Plymouth Borough Lunatic Asylum at Blackadon.

According to the Great Western Railway Company's official "Traffic Dealt with at Stations and Depots", published circa 1936, in the calendar year 1913 Bittaford Platform, which came under the control of Wrangaton Station, issued 9,548 railway tickets, dealt with 24 parcels and took in total income £570.

Bittaford Platform looking towards Wrangaton Station,
possibly in Great Western days.
From the author's collection.

During the calendar year 1923 Bittaford Platform issued 12,359 railway tickets plus 138 season tickets, handled 111 parcels and took in total receipts of £1,085.  This all fell away during the calendar year of 1929 when only 11,590 railway tickets were issued and 72 parcels dealt with.  However the number of season tickets increased to 206.  Total receipts for the year were down to £1,045.

On Weekdays and Sundays, 'where train service permits', commencing on May 1st 1953, the following cheap day return tickets, first and third class, were available from Bittaford Platform to: Dawlish, 9s 1st, 6s 3rd; Dawlish Warren, 9 shillings (s) 9 pence (d) 1st, 6s 6d 3rd; Devonport Albert Road, 5s 3d 1st, 3s 6d 3rd; Keyham, 5s 3d 1st, 3s 6d 3rd; Kingsbridge, 5s 3d 1st, 3s 6d 3rd; Newton Abbot, 6s 6d 1st, 4s 3d 3rd; Paignton, 9s 1st, 6s 3rd; Plymouth North Road Station, 4s 9d 1st, 3s 3d 3rd; Plympton, 3s 1st, 2s 3rd; Saint Budeaux Ferry Road, 5s 9d 1st, 3s 9d 3rd; Saltash, 6s 1st, 4s 3rd; Teignmouth, 8s 3d 1st, 5s 6d 3rd; Torquay, 8s 3d 1st, 5s 6d 3rd; and Totnes 3s 9d 1st, 2s 6d 3rd.

According to the "The Official Hand-book of Station 1956" Bittaford Platform dealt with passengers, parcels, miscellaneous traffic only.  It was not equipped with a crane.

British Railways closed Bittaford Platform on or as from March 2nd 1959.