The following is an article from the Brixham Western Guardian on 24th September 1931 regarding the extension of Brixham Harbour. With thanks to Brixham Heritage Museum Archives.
“A few days ago, we received from Mr J Shelley Curtis, a former member and also a former chairman of the Brixham UDC, two etchings of old Brixham and a plan showing the contemplated expansion of the Brixham Harbour. Plans were through the ‘northern arm’, with the line of railway along the Churston quarries towards Elberry, with a station in it’s immediate vicinity. There would be a link with the Churston and Paignton line above Broadsands. We mention this, because on several occasions, it’s authenticity has been doubted.”
In the pre-war days, there was a real spirit of progressive development, but unfortunately, the war blighted all prospects for it’s eventuation with the construction of a huge dry dock at Fishcombe and Churston Quay. Had that ‘northern arm’ been a reality, with modern equipment for taking ocean passengers over the ship’s side into railway carriages, Brixham may have been a serious competitor for handling of the ocean passenger trade with Plymouth to the west and Southampton to the east.
We reproduce the letter that Mr Curtis received from a very eminent firm of engineers regarding the suggested low level railway to Brixham:
“With reference to our conversation when I was at Brixham, I herewith enclose a 6inch OS map on which I have shown in red, a suggested new line of railway from Broadsands to Brixham, where the line would pass through Freshwater Quarry and if desired it could be continued on to the New Pier. The distance would be about two and three quarter miles. I think the line would not only be useful for Brixham, but it would also serve to develop the Churston Estate, with which object in view I have shown a station near Elberry Cove. The line could be made with fairly easy gradients and would not, I think, be very expensive”
Under existing conditions, all hopes of the construction of such a ‘northern arm’ with it’s utility modernised through railway equipment must be abandoned.