Mel Stride MP met with Great Western Railway’s Regional Development Manager Matt Barnes in Crediton recently to discuss the introduction of a regular passenger rail service between Okehampton and Exeter via Crediton. Mr Stride also raised the issue of the train stopping at Newton St Cyres. Their meeting followed the announcement from the Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling six weeks ago that GWR had been instructed to prepare plans to introduce such a service as soon as possible.
Mr Barnes explained:
“Later this year we will be introducing brand new long-distance trains for Devon and Cornwall, and next year we will introduce a new timetable with both mainline and branch line improvements for Devon, as well as newer, more modern trains for Barnstaple with wifi and air conditioning. We don’t want to stop there, we want to continue to innovate and improve services and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity by the Department for Transport to look at how regular services could be reintroduced through to Okehampton.”
Mr Stride added:
“This was a constructive and informative meeting and it reassured me that GWR are getting on with the report requested by the Secretary of State for Transport working up a proposal for the these new rail services. There is a real willingness on the part of GWR and the Department for Transport to take this forward and, as ever, I will continue to press all parties to deliver.”
