CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has spoken of his “pride” in being able to travel to Okehampton directly on the train last week for a local meeting – his first journey on the new Dartmoor Line, just six days after its launch.

Mel’s involvement with the campaign for a regular passenger service between Okehampton and Exeter began more than a decade ago, and included him bringing Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin to Okehampton in 2014.

This proved to be a turning point in the campaign.

He also secured key meetings with consecutive Chancellors of the Exchequer to press the case for funding.

When the Restoring Your Railways initiative was launched in 2020, the Dartmoor Line was allocated £43 million of funding and was the first project to be delivered.

Mel said: “After a busy week in Westminster instead of getting off the train at Exeter St David’s and jumping in the car I carried on along the Dartmoor Line to Okehampton.

“It was a fantastic feeling and there were definitely some goosebumps! The train was busy and so was the platform when I arrived.”

West Devon Borough Councillor Kevin Ball added: “It was great to be able to meet Mel off the train in Okehampton. It has been a long journey but we are both really delighted that all the hard work has paid off.

“The service is proving popular which is very important – if it is well used over the coming months it will strengthen our case for funding for a second station on the eastern edge of town to improve accessibility.”

After arriving in Okehampton Mel caught up with West Devon Borough Councillors Julie Yelland and Nicky Heyworth and Devon County Councillor Lois Samuel.

He then went with Cllr Samuel and Cllr Ball into town to visit 3 East Street, a local café, to promote Small Business Saturday this weekend.