Okehampton Interchange, the newest station in the West, is a big step closer to welcoming passengers after a major stage of construction was completed.
The lift shaft, footbridge span and staircase have all been lifted into place, with the Devon station now beginning to take shape.
Okehampton Interchange is a £15m project, made possible thanks to Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council successfully bidding for Government funding, together with contributions from both authorities.
The new fully accessible station, being built by Network Rail and its contractor Octavius, is set to open in summer 2026. It will be the newest addition to the Dartmoor Line, complementing the existing Okehampton station, and provide an hourly train to connect West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall with Exeter and beyond.
Over three midweek nights, a 350-tonne crane was used to move the steel structures from what will become the station car park, over the railway and into position for the new station. The lift shaft, four columns to support the staircase, and three sections of the staircase itself were successfully installed.
The 25m-long footbridge was then lifted into place six metres above the railway in two sections. The bridge will allow access from the 200-space car park to the station’s single platform. The 100m platform will be supported by 107 coping stones that have been laid. Work now continues to complete construction in spring next year.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said:
“The latest progress at Okehampton Interchange is an exciting step forward for the local community and, thanks to £15m in Government support, it will soon unlock countless benefits, including improved regional connectivity and modern services that local people can rely on.
“Alongside the dedicated work of local councils, we’re on track with our Plan for Change commitment to deliver growth, jobs and homes through a modern railway that Britain needs and deserves. I look forward to seeing the station open next year.”
Network Rail industry programme director Bogdan Lupu said:
“Our plans are now coming to life and the footbridge platform structure is now in place, marking a major milestone in the project’s progress.
“Everyone can now see it really coming together and our work continues to get passengers onto the platform as soon as possible.”
Devon County Council cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity Councillor Jacqi Hodgson said:
“It’s good to see how work on Okehampton Interchange is coming along and it has really taken some major steps forward in recent weeks. With the footbridge installed you can start to visualise what the station will eventually look like and it’s certainly impressive.
“This will be a huge asset, not just for Okehampton, but for the wider area as well. It opens the option of rail travel to many more people, which can only be a good thing to help us tackle congestion and reduce our carbon emissions in the county.”
West Devon Borough Council’s lead member for the built environment Councillor Caroline Mott said:
“The progress of the station is fantastic news for our community. This milestone brings us closer to a station that will not only benefit residents but also provide a significant boost to local businesses by improving access for customers, staff and suppliers. These better transport links will help attract investment, support tourism and make it easier for businesses to grow and thrive.
“We’re especially pleased with the strong partnership between Network Rail, Great Western Railway and Devon County Council, along with other key stakeholders, which is helping to deliver real improvements in local transport infrastructure.”
GWR business development portfolio director Tom Pierpoint said:
“New stations such as Okehampton Interchange are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we become mindful of the need to live and travel more sustainably – something we can see so visibly with the success of the reopening of Okehampton in November 2021.
“Working with our partners at Devon County Council; West Devon Borough Council and Network Rail, we are really pleased to see the station take shape, continuing to invest in our railway and bringing train travel to the wider community of north Devon.
“We are excited for the benefits this station will bring to the local economy, to residents, businesses and to leisure travellers alike.”
Octavius Infrastructure framework director Lawrence Houghton said:
“We’re incredibly proud to see Okehampton Interchange taking shape – a testament to the dedication and expertise of everyone involved. This milestone brings us one step closer to delivering improved connectivity for the region. At Octavius, we’re passionate about supporting our customers and communities and it’s inspiring to see the hard work and collaboration of our team and partners making a real difference.
“Our approach to progressive assurance ensures we deliver safely, efficiently, and with confidence at every stage. Working together with Network Rail demonstrates the power of true partnership in achieving outstanding results for passengers and the wider community. We look forward to welcoming everyone to this fantastic new station soon.”