THE Tarka Rail Association, representing rail users on the Exeter to Barnstaple "Tarka Line", has said that it warmly welcomes the Chancellor’s announcement that a daily train service will return to the Devon town of Okehampton once again after a gap of 49 years.

The Association says that the news that £40m of funding will be released to enable the introduction of a regular service of through trains between Okehampton, Crediton and Exeter later this year can only be of great benefit to the economy of Okehampton and will add to the growing success of the network of local rail services in Devon.

The news is particularly welcome for Tarka Line passengers as the new service will provide extra trains and seats between Exeter and Crediton providing more choice for passengers, which will be particularly welcome for those travelling to Exeter for work, shopping and leisure.

This will make the value of Crediton as a "Park and Ride" station for Exeter even greater.

Mike Day, Chair of the TRA said: “We have been working closely with Great Western Railway and Devon County Council for many years and have seen a steady and significant increase in both train services and passengers.

"These extra trains will compliment the present Exeter - Crediton service and make rail an even more attractive option for journeys around Exeter.”

The TRA is also anticipating further improvements to services between Exeter and Barnstaple as extra evening and Sunday services are planned together with shorter journey times following investment by Network Rail to increase line speeds on parts of the route.

The TRA is one of the oldest and most successful Rail User Groups, working with local authorities, train operators and the Devon and Cornwall Community Rail Partnership to secure improvements to stations and services.

Huge growth has taken place on the route: the base of 200,000 passenger journeys a year in 2001 had grown to 680,000 a year prior to the Covid pandemic, representing growth of 241 per cent, with further train service and rolling stock improvements planned.