Under the heading 'Launceston helps rebuild "Withered Arm" – for cyclists', the August 2009 edition of 'Heritage Railway' published the following story.

The Launceston Steam Railway is helping to turn more of the LSWR 'Withered Arm' into a footpath – while extending itself by two miles.

The railway has become involved with Cornwall County Council's initiative to link the Camel and Tarka Trails, laid on the formations of the Bodmin-Padstow and Barnstaple-Torrington lines respectively. (The latter should read Barnstaple-Torrington-Petrockstow. Webmaster)

The county council wants to use much of the old North Cornwall Railway trackbed to link up the two. Launceston Steam Railway managing director Nigel Bowman said: 'The earthworks of the railway are too narrow at the Launceston end to accommodate the new trail, but fortunately the railway owns the historic 14th century Priory Leat which parallels the railway, and the company is co-operating fully with the council to allow the trail to use this for the first part of the route.

'The railway has the deeds of the leat going back to the dissolution of the priory in the 1500s, which in themselves form an important historical record. Some problems arose because of erroneous Land Registration by adjoining landowners, but the Adjudicator to HM Land Registry ruled in favour of the railway, making this alternative route (which will have good views of the trains) a viable proposition.

'We are of the opinion that this trail will be of great benefit to both Launceston and Cornwall, and we hope that all landowners will agree.

'The proposals would also see the LSR extended for a further two miles beyond the present terminus of New Mills to the attractive village of Egloskerry, itself immortalised by the late Sir John Betjeman in his autobiographical work, Summoned by Bells.'

Note: This article is not quite correct, since on 1st April 2009, Cornwall County Council and all of the duchy's district councils were abolished and replaced with a new unitary authority – Cornwall Council. Therefore this article should refer to Cornwall Council, and not Cornwall County Council. Webmaster.

Source: 'Heritage Railway', Issue No. 127, 6 August to 2 September 2009, page 33.