PILOT Developments has completed its sale deal and is officially the new owner of the former Epping-Ongar section of the Central Line, London Underground has said.

The company, headed by Bill Camplisson and former district councillor and ex-Brentwood and Ongar Conservative Association chairman Willy White, intends to restore a peak-time commuter service to the line by autumn 2000.

It is confident it can successfully operate a commuter service even though when London Underground last ran such a service it was selling fewer than 80 tickets a day.

Pilot also plans a range of leisure activities such as dining trains and open days, and create a themed restaurant in the station building at Ongar.

London Transport's commercial director David Bailey said: "We wish Pilot Developments every success with its new venture.

"The sale of the Epping-Ongar branch to a commercial operator offers the best opportunity for the line to remain a working railway.

"We are delighted that local people will see the return of their commuter service and that this will be achieved at no cost to the taxpayer."

Pilot Developments managing director Bill Camplisson said: "After a long haul we are delighted to have concluded this acquisition which represents an exciting opportunity to bring new commercial and employment benefits to the area."

The six-mile branch line closed in September 1994. At that time London Underground was effectively paying a subsidy of £16 per trip, it said.

Permission to close the line was granted by the Government on condition that London Underground sought an operator who was prepared to run a passenger service at no cost to the Underground.

Concern has been voiced over the conditions of sale which are part of the sale deal.

But Epping Forest Council, which had meetings with Transport Secretary Glenda Jackson and other local representatives, later said it would not take any further legal action as it believed its concerns had been listened to.

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