OUTLINE plans to preserve the historic winding house and incline on the West Somerset Mineral Line are to be considered at next week's Exmoor National Park Authority meeting.

Park chiefs are seeking support from members for the proposals and will update them on conservation work being carried out.

The idea is to turn the winding house and the incline into a visitor attraction once the refurbishment is complete to the line, which stretches from Gupworthy on the Brendon Hills to Watchet.

The railway was built in the years after 1856 to transport iron ore, mined in the Brendon Hills, to the coast. It ceased to be used regularly in 1910.

When operational, the incline carried a two track, cable-drawn truck system powered by the winding house which contained not only the drum and engine, but also a cottage for the operator.

After it became redundant, the rails were ripped up and some of the bridges were demolished and filled in.

The incline has become overgrown, with water erosion down the track bed, and the winding house is now unstable and potentially hazardous.

The incline is also crowded with mature trees, many of which have collapsed or are in danger of falling and therefore pose a danger to visitors.

Already, a tree felling licence has been obtained by the authority with work due to start in the spring.

The national park took control of the winding house, the incline and 2.3 hectares of adjoining woodland in 1998 after financial backing from English Heritage and the Rural Development Agency.

A survey revealed that trees and shrubs needed to be cleared from the track bed and the sides of the embankment. Running water would also have to be re-routed to the original side drains.

Surface drains would be installed to discharge water from the incline back into nearby water courses.

Refurbishment of the winding house would include re-pointing the structure, replacing wooden lintels, capping exposed walls and installing new iron grilles in the window openings.

In addition, interpretation panels would be produced and mounted on the internal walls to provide information for visitors and guided parties.

Steps will be built at the top and bottom of the incline for 'low-key' public access.

Park officers have said that there may be some archaeological investigation undertaken into features exposed during the work.

Details of the repair work have been sent to specialist contractors with the outcome of the tendering process being reported at Tuesday's meeting.

Funding for the work would come from the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and the park authority has set aside money in its budget.

Now, the park authority plans to hold talks with landowners, parish councils and other interested parties to reach an agreement on the overall framework of future management of the mineral line.

During theses consultations, the possibility of setting up a management group comprising key landowners, West Somerset District Council and the parish council, will be canvassed.