AN initiative to promote the Tarka Line, which runs from Barnstaple to Exmouth and includes Crediton Railway Station, has won a national award.

The Great Scenic Railways campaign won first prize in the Best Marketing Campaign category at the National Community Rail Awards, held in Torquay on Thursday, October 1.

Great Scenic Railways was a multimedia campaign launched in the Spring of 2015 by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, which sought to promote the branch lines of Devon and Cornwall through a new website, social media advertising and a launch event at London Paddington Railway Station featuring a “Poldark”-inspired promotion.

The launch event resulted in 10,000 extra visitors to the new website: greatcenicrailways.com in just five weeks, as well as a 75 per cent jump in “Facebook” followers.

Richard Burningham, spokesman for the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: “We are delighted to be recognised again in this category.

“The Great Scenic Railways campaign has been very successful and the initial increase of traffic on our website has continued throughout the rest of the year, meaning that more and more people are discovering our beautiful branch lines in Devon and Cornwall.”

Great Western Railway Campaign manager Jamie Anderson said: “With so many low cost fares to Devon and Cornwall there is an enormous opportunity to explore scenic ‘Poldark’ country and see for yourself the incredible destinations the area has to offer.

“Our local Community Rail services are not only among the fastest growing, but also among the most reliable in the country and it is great to see them supporting tourism and being recognised in this manner.”

The National Community Rail Awards is an annual event which celebrates the work being done to promote and enhance Britain’s local and rural railways around the country.

The Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership works to promote the eight rural branch lines in the two counties and is a non-profit partnership between local authorities, including Devon County Council, Cornwall Council, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth University and the rail industry.

Alan Quick