West Devon Borough Council has announced that it has successfully bid for £13.4m to develop a new railway station and integrated transport hub in Okehampton.
The West Devon Transport Hub will further build on the infrastructure of the Dartmoor Line, which was reopened in November 2021.
Project partners include Devon County Council, Great Western Rail and Network Rail, with the government’s Levelling Up Fund awarding the money for a new purpose built station and car park, that can be easily accessed from the nearby A30.
The station’s platform will be fitted with a passenger lift in order to improve the station’s accessibility for all travellers, in addition to new cycling infrastructure and electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
The council hopes to use this transport hub to improve local green and active travel options, in line with climate change objectives to reduce carbon across the borough by 2050.
What’s more, the borough council hopes the hub will bring a range of benefits to West Devon’s economy, especially to Okehampton and its surrounding area.
Neil Jory, councillor and West Devon Borough Council’s leader, said: “This is a huge achievement for West Devon and we’re absolutely delighted!
“It’s fantastic news for Okehampton, and the borough, providing an interchange from the A30 to Exeter and the strategic rail network.
“Okehampton has so much to offer and this transport hub, which builds on the success of the Dartmoor Line, will make travelling to the town even easier.
“The new integrated travel links include a new station, specifically designed for the town.
“A car park with EV charging points and cycling facilities, which are essential for this town with the hugely popular Granite Way cycling nearby, and walking route on its doorstep, along with the northern edge of Dartmoor and all its walks.”
