Ever since the last regular BR passenger train left Okehampton in 1972, there have been calls to bring the service back. It's been more than two years since the former Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling declared in a letter that the government had commissioned franchise holder Great Western Railway (GWR) to investigate the reinstatement of a passenger service between Exeter St David's and Okehampton.
Now GWR have told this months Moorlander Magazine that it "provided a response on the potential to provide regular services between Exeter and Okehampton, and how some of the challenges to such a project could be overcome, for their consideration last summer".
The company says it "recognises the present feeling and local aspirations around the future of regular weekday rail services to Okehampton, which was the most sought after additional route in the most recent GW franchise consultation.
Okehampton Station is not very well placed for the town as it's almost a mile from the centre up a steep hill . Plans for a park and ride near the A30 have been developed making it more convenient for people from North Devon and North Cornwall to move from road to rail.
An added complication is that the company currently leasing the railway is being offered for sale. Ownership is split between Meldon Quarry owners Aggregate Industries (infrastructure) and Devon County Council (station). A spokesperson for Aggregate Industries told the local newspaper: ‘we are working with stakeholders to facilitate a proposed regular passenger rail service between Okehampton and Exeter. We have nothing further to add at this stage.’