by Alan Quick
THE scenic Tarka Line, which links Barnstaple with Exeter, is to feature in a new national website promoting the country’s community rail lines and heritage railways to tourists both at home and abroad, thanks to a £75,000 Government grant.
The project – led by the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) and supported by the Plymouth University based Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership – has been awarded funding from the Department for Transport’s Heritage and Community Rail Tourism Innovation Competition.
Richard Burningham, Manager of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, which works to promote the Tarka Line and the two counties’ other branch lines said: “We’re really delighted to have been successful in getting this funding. The new website will promote the Tarka Line and our other very scenic local railways to a worldwide audience, alongside local lines from across the country. It will help attract more tourists to Devon and boost the local economy.”
The project – which will also feature heritage railways and other scenic lines – will draw upon the digital marketing expertise of the Rail Partnership, who have won a number of national awards for their online campaigns.
Rail Minister Claire Perry said: “We want to show the best of British to our visitors and Heritage and Community Railways are part of that package.
“I am delighted that this website is one of 17 national winners. I look forward to seeing the scheme develop, providing another great reason to visit Britain and explore the country by train.”
The new website will be launched in 2017 and will be accompanied by a national and international marketing campaign. It will be translated into key European languages, and will be user-friendly on PCs, laptops, tablets and mobile telephones.
The Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership is a non-profit partnership between local council, the rail industry and Plymouth University. Leading members include Cornwall Council, Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Great Western Railway.