The Government’s decision to scrap the extension of HS2 from the West Midlands to Manchester means that investment will be re-directed across the country – including rail infrastructure improvements in Devon.
Although full details of funding and timescales are yet to be unveiled, the Government has confirmed that it, “will deliver rail improvements in the South West”.
Its announcement includes our project to reinstate five miles of track and deliver a new single platform station at Tavistock, which would serve communities in Tavistock, Horrabridge, Lamerton, and Mary Tavy.
Reopening the line between Bere Alston and Tavistock, would support an hourly Tavistock-Plymouth service and stopping and increasing frequency at Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers and several west Plymouth stations in combination with the existing two-hourly service between Plymouth and Gunnislake.
We submitted our Strategic Outline Business Case to the Government’s Restoring Your Railway programme last year.
Minister of State for Rail Huw Merriman MP has confirmed that “the project will be funded to delivery, subject to future updates to the project business case”.
He added: “This scheme presents significant potential to improve connectivity between Tavistock and Plymouth and I look forward to seeing it progress.”
The Department for Transport will continue working closely with us and Network Rail on the development of the scheme. Network Rail will lead the next stage of the project in close collaboration with Devon.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said:
“It’s very welcome news that the Government is re-allocating funding to vital transport schemes. Good quality transport links are a driver for the local economy and support our commitment to tackle the climate emergency.
“We have already seen the success of the Dartmoor Line since it reopened, with demand more than double what was originally forecast. I’m sure the Tavistock to Plymouth line could have a similar impact, with annual passenger demand at the station forecast to be 394,000 passengers a year.
“The Government has recognised the need to support some important transport schemes in the county. We’ll be keen to hear more detail from Ministers on the timescales they have planned in bringing these projects forward.”
Councillor Debo Sellis, County Councillor for Tavistock, said:
“This is a step in the right direction and it’s great that Westminster is supporting the Tavistock to Plymouth Rail line. People want to see better connectivity, particularly young people, and it’s positive to see investment in the south west. I would like to thank Councillor Davis, County Council officers and local MP Sir Geoffrey Cox who have listened to residents’ concerns that I’ve shared with them. They’ve been tenacious in backing the reinstatement of the Tavistock to Plymouth Line and we look forward to improvements for future generations.”
Councillor Philip Sanders, County Councillor for Yelverton Rural, said:
“The reopening of this line has been a much-cherished project locally for many years and yesterday’s announcement has been greeted with enthusiasm by residents of Tavistock Town and its environs, as well as those of the Bere Peninsula. Devon County Council has strongly supported this venture and has been working away in the background so that although the scheme is not quite ‘shovel ready’ it is none the less able to take advantage of the funding now proposed.
“For Tavistock residents this allows access to Plymouth for both work and leisure without the need to travel along the heavily congested A386. For the Bere peninsula this provides an easy and safe route for pupils travelling to Tavistock College and for the residents to access the excellent shopping facilities in Tavistock town. I have always campaigned for this route as a local councillor and I am delighted by the announcement that funding is now available.”
The scheme to reinstate the rail line to Tavistock is identified in the 20-year plan of the Peninsula Rail Task Force.
Other projects mentioned in the Government’s re-investment in transport include:
• Reintroducing rail services to Wellington and Cullompton, which is being led by Mid Devon District Council,
• Delivering on its commitment to make the route between Exeter and Plymouth through Dawlish more resilient in the face of extreme weather. The County Council is a partner of the Peninsula Transport authorities who have been supporting the South West Resilience programme and enhancements on the Dawlish to Teignmouth mainline.