A public meeting at Barnstaple came to a corresponding conclusion for their town, and proposed a railway to Fremington, and to construct a dock there, avoiding the difficult passage of the River Taw to their town. They obtained the "Taw Vale Railway and Dock Act" on 11 June 1838, but this scheme too resulted in no actual construction. However, there was enough interest to get the "Taw Vale Amendment Act" on 21 July 1845 extending the powers and authorising certain additional works.