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. Mel Stride MP today received a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling which confirmed the Government has instructed Great Western Railway 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”.
Mel said:
“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.”
For more information about the campaign for a regular passenger rail service between Okehampton and Exeter visit www.okerail.2day.uk.
Photo: Mel lobbying Chris Grayling on the service last year.
