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Need to know
Devon County Council is delivering works at Barnstaple Railway Station, which are designed to make changing between buses and trains more convenient, and provide a more attractive gateway to northern Devon. As detailed further below, the works include improvements to bus stop facilities, expansion of the station forecourt and a new mini-roundabout.
Construction works for the scheme are planned to commence on 14 September 2026 and conclude in November 2026. Buses and trains will continue to serve the station during the works, however there will be some changes within the station car park and on nearby roads.
Scheme description
The scheme includes the following features:
- Reconfigured bus stops: Buses from Barnstaple town centre towards Sticklepath and Bideford will now stop directly outside the station entrance.
- New mini-roundabout: Giving traffic (including buses) travelling from the town centre priority over traffic coming from Tesco.
- Simplified road layout: The road width will be reduced from four lanes to two lanes, with both lanes shared between buses and general traffic.
- Expanded station forecourt: Accommodating improved bus stop facilities, including shelters, real time information screens and cycle parking.
- Parallel (pedestrian and cycle) crossing: To be provided in front of the station entrance, making it easier and safer for people to access the station and bus stops.
- Informal crossing facilities: To be provided at the eastern end of the road past the station, to improve safety for people travelling between the station and the Seven Brethren industrial estate.
- Changes to parking arrangements: The overall number of parking spaces will be reduced, to accommodate changes to the adjacent road layout. The allocation of spaces will also change, for example to increase the amount of disabled parking.
- Removal of guard railing: Some guard railing in the vicinity of the station will be removed, to enable people to more easily access the railway station and bus stops, and create an improved gateway to Barnstaple.
An artist’s impression of the scheme is included below.
Please note that this image has been enhanced using AI visualisation tools and is intended for illustrative purposes only. Actual appearance, materials, landscaping, lighting, and surrounding details may differ from the completed development.
How will the works affect me?
Buses and trains will continue to operate during the works, and every effort will be made to reduce the disruption caused. Further information regarding the potential impacts of the works is provided below.
- Bus Passengers
Buses will continue to operate during the works. However, some buses may stop in different locations.
- Train Passengers
Trains will continue to operate during the works. However, 26 parking spaces within the station car park will be suspended during the works, to accommodate the contractor’s site compound.
Temporary traffic management arrangements will be in place during the works, so passengers may need to allow additional time when travelling to and from the station.
- Pedestrians and Cyclists
Barnstaple railway station will remain accessible on foot during the works. Any changes to walking and cycling routes in the vicinity of the station will be clearly signed.
- Car/Van Users
Temporary traffic management arrangements will be in place during the works, so people may need to allow additional time when travelling to and from or passing the station.
Additionally, 26 parking spaces within the station car park will be suspended during the works, to accommodate the contractor’s site compound.
- Local Residents
The construction works may generate some noise and dust, however the contractor will make every effort to minimise disruption.
- Local Businesses
Businesses will remain open as usual during the works. However, temporary traffic management arrangements will be in place during the works, so people may need to allow additional time when travelling to and from nearby businesses.
Background to the scheme
Barnstaple Railway Station is a significant public transport interchange, served by trains to Crediton and Exeter and buses to a wide range of destinations, including Bideford, Braunton, Ilfracombe and Torrington, as illustrated in the below map.
The scheme was approved for construction by Devon County Council’s Cabinet in November 2025.
The majority of the funding is Bus Service Improvement Plan capital funding, which is central government funding awarded to Devon County Council explicitly for bus infrastructure enhancements. Funding for cycle parking and works to the station entrances is being provided by Great Western Railway.
A public consultation regarding a previous version of the scheme was undertaken in May/June 2024. This showed significant support for the scheme overall, but concern about a proposed bus access onto Sticklepath Terrace. Following this consultation, the scheme design was significantly revised, and the bus access onto Sticklepath Terrace is no longer being delivered.
The scheme will complement other recent and ongoing improvements to bus services in Northern Devon, including improvements to connections between trains and buses to Lynton and Lynmouth, and the introduction of electric buses.
Contact
For any comments or queries relating to the construction works, the Customer Service Centre (CSC) can be contacted on 0345 155 1004. Alternatively, the CSC can be emailed at csc.roads@devon.gov.uk.
For any general queries relating to the scheme background and objectives, please email transportplanning-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
Accessibility
We take accessibility seriously and recognise that some of the information presented in the files available on this page may not be fully accessible to someone using assistive technology such as a screen reader. If you need guidance or an alternative format, email transportplanning-mailbox@devon.gov.uk with details of any preferred format and the assistive technology you use.