Left to right: Ian Mundy (GWR Senior Portfolio Manager), Councillor Lois Samuel (Devon County Councillor for Okehampton), Councillor Mandy Ewings (Leader of West Devon Borough Council), Mel Stride MP, Councillor Andrea Davis, (Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport), Bogdan Lupu (Network Rail industry programme director), and David Whiteway (GWR Regional Growth Manager).The name of a new railway station near Okehampton has been revealed in a special ceremony.
Key figures from Great Western Railway; Network Rail; Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council, along with Central Devon MP, Mel Stride, gathered at the site of the planned new station to unveil its name.
To be known as Okehampton Interchange, the station will be on the edge of Okehampton and only a two minute drive from the A30 to improve rail access for North Cornwall and West Devon. The new station will have a larger car park than Okehampton, as well as improved bus links and better access by foot and bicycle.
Unveiling the new name, Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, said: “Another step in the history of the very successful reopening of the Okehampton to Exeter rail line. Following recent confirmation of £13.5 million in Government Levelling Up Funding the naming of our new station is the first step for a project that will benefit thousands of local people in Okehampton and surrounding communities.”
Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said:
“The popularity of the Dartmoor line has been phenomenal since it reopened and the Okehampton Interchange will broaden its appeal further still, opening up rail access to wider areas of West Devon, Dartmoor and North Cornwall. The convenient location of Okehampton Interchange will encourage even more people to take up sustainable travel and the name of the station reflects the integration of rail, bus, cycling and walking links to the station.”
Councillor Lois Samuel, County Councillor for Okehampton Rural, said:
“I welcome the investment into sustainable travel, the new station will allow passengers from a wider area and surrounding villages of Okehampton to access rail options. With great bus, road and cycling connectivity more people will be able to benefit from the Dartmoor Line.”
GWR Regional Growth Manager David Whiteway said: “This really is super news for rail and wider sustainable transport choices across the South West. The new Okehampton Interchange will build on the massive success that the reopening of the Dartmoor Line has already had, better connecting people with jobs, students with education services, and leisure opportunities for all – providing valuable support for the community and local economies.”
Bogdan Lupu, Network Rail industry programme director, said: “We’re looking forward to building another new station for the south-west. Reopening the Dartmoor Line was a fantastic achievement and Okehampton Interchange will connect even more people to the railway.”
Following the success of the reopening of the Dartmoor Line in November 2021, more than £13 million was granted for a new station as part of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
