by Alan Quick

A MAJOR step towards the return of a regular passenger rail service between Okehampton and Exeter via Crediton has been taken according to the town’s Member of Parliament.

Central Devon MP Mel Stride received a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling on Tuesday, January 30, which confirmed the Government has instructed Great Western Railway (GWR) to prepare plans to introduce regular train services between Exeter and Okehampton delivering “an all-week, all-year train service as soon as reasonably practicable”.

Mr Stride said on Tuesday: “A regular passenger rail service between Okehampton and Exeter via Crediton will provide a valuable service to thousands of my constituents and help reduce traffic in and out of Exeter.

"Momentum towards securing this service has steadily grown and today’s announcement is significant as it demonstrates the full weight of the Department for Transport is behind the plan and wants to see it happen as soon as possible.

"It is now over to Great Western Railway to come up with a fully costed plan to deliver the service and I will liaise with them to make sure this is delivered.”

Okehampton’s Devon County Councillor Kevin Ball added: “Such a clear commitment from the Government is fantastic news. Everyone who has been involved with the campaign including OkeRail, Mel and Devon County Council should be really proud and pleased with this substantial progress.”

Mike Davies, chair of the OkeRail, the forum campaigning for the return of rail services, said he was delighted with the news.

He commented: "It is wonderful news not just for the community of Okehampton but for the people of West Devon and North Cornwall.

"A lot of work still needs to be done but things are looking good. It has been a long journey with a lot of work behind the scenes but I am delighted that it has all paid off."

Options for a new railway station in Okehampton are being considered by Devon County Council as it develops proposals for the reintroduction of regular weekday trial services in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Great Western Railway (GWR).

New station plan options, commissioned by the county council, have been presented to the OkeRail Forum as part of consultation with key stakeholders, which also includes GWR, Aggregate Industries and Dartmoor Railway.

Studies have also found that a third of the track would probably need to be upgraded to cope with any increased service but is sustainable for light use as there is currently.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council cabinet member for infrastructure, development and waste, said: "Re-establishing daily train services between Okehampton and Exeter would provide a huge lift to the West Devon economy and support long-term growth in the area – and it is a point I made to Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Transport, at a recent meeting.

"We’ve made progress in developing alternative layouts for the station, as well as considering other essential elements needed to run a daily service.

"We’ll be looking to work together with the community and stakeholders to develop the scheme but we have to be realistic and accept that we will be reliant on external funding to get this up and running."

Cllr Ball added: "Good progress has been made but there are many challenges ahead, including finding the funding for infrastructure.

"Everyone is working hard to make this happen, including our local MP Mel Stride."

It is expected that economic benefits to the Crediton area would result if the increased regular rail service is achieved.

Further surveys and assessments, including looking at level crossings, detailed track conditions, and much more would also have to be completed.

Details about the rail campaign for reinstatement of a regular rail service on the line can be viewed at: www.okerail.2day.uk .

It is believed that a report will now be finalised in the coming weeks setting out the options under consideration for further discussion with GWR, the DfT and the OkeRail Forum.