Mel Stride MP has continued to fly the flag for the introduction of a regular passenger rail service between Okehampton and Exeter via Crediton, meeting with the new Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps MP in Westminster today. The MP, who has worked closely with local campaigners on the project said that he wanted to ensure the new service remained one of the Government’s top priorities for improving transport links in the South West.
Mel said:
“A lot of progress has been made in recent years and I’m optimistic that we could be looking at around 2021 as a potential start date. But to deliver this we need the Government primed to respond quickly when the feasibility study they have commissioned has been completed. I had secured this commitment from the previous Secretary of State and wanted to ensure that it still stood, and I am pleased to report that it does.”
Okehampton’s Devon County Councillor Kevin Ball added:
“Mel has been a great help in moving this vital issue along and we will continue to make sure the Government doesn’t take its eye off this important project. DCC cannot begin the preparations we need to make for the service until the Government has responded to the feasibility study when completed so making sure this happens quickly is essential.”
To promote the new service Cllr. Ball, as part of OkeRail, has helped organise one-off rail trips from Okehampton station to London and Stratford-upon-Avon. The third trip is this Saturday (14th September) to Weymouth with tickets still available. For more information or to book tickets search for OkeRail on Facebook or ring Kevin on 07870 377879.
