THE Tarka Rail Association, representing users of the increasingly busy Barnstaple to Exeter North Devon “Tarka” railway line, has welcomed the setting up of a team by Devon County Council with the clear objective to restore regular passenger train services between Okehampton and Exeter, which ceased in 1972.

Tony Hill, from the Association, said that with the rebuilding and reopening last September of 35 miles of the former Scottish Borders main line between Tweedbank (near Galashiels) and Edinburgh, which closed in 1969, North West Devon and North Cornwall have now replaced the Scottish Borders with the unfortunate title of the largest “Rail Desert” in Britain.

He added that, incidentally, since reopening of the Borders Railway the number of passengers has far exceeded all expectations, with 125,000 journeys in its first month.

Tony said: “One would hope, indeed expect, a worthwhile financial contribution from the developers in the next stages of the planned major house building schemes in Okehampton, in a similar arrangement to that agreed in Tavistock. This will provide the major part of funds to restore the railway line from Tavistock to Bere Alston, so shortsightedly closed in 1968.

“A major advantage to restoration of a regular passenger service is that nearly 13 miles of the 26 miles, which is all operational, between Okehampton and Exeter Central will be shared, pro rata, with infrastructure, operations and management etc. costs of the North Devon, Exmouth, Paddington and Waterloo lines.

“In the hope that in the not too distant future, the Okehampton (Meldon) to Tavistock line will be reinstated and connect with the reopened line to Bere Alston/Plymouth. This would provide an alternative rail route when the South Devon route is closed for the expected increasing incidents with the sea walls and cliffs, also for other infrastructure works between Exeter and Plymouth.”

Referrring to the “Dawlish problem”, he added: “It is now standard procedure during periods of rough seas causing waves to overtop the sea walls, that long distance Cross Country ’Voyager’ trains are cancelled between Exeter and Plymouth/Cornwall because salt water damages their equipment.

“This alternative Crediton/Okehampton route could also serve West Devon and North Cornwall with a Parkway station at Sourton, next to the A30/A386/A3079 road interchange; possibly called Launceston Parkway station.

“A reinstated Okehampton - Exeter rail service would also have significant potential benefits; not least sharing and thus reducing costs and public subsidy for the North Devon line, where the demand for more frequent, longer trains and reduced journey times continues to grow.”

Alan Quick