Construction has commenced on Okehampton Interchange, a new railway station on the outskirts of Okehampton, Devon.
This £15 million project is the latest addition to the Dartmoor Line, aiming to connect West Devon, Torridge, and North Cornwall with Exeter and beyond. The initiative is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), with additional contributions from Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council.
Project partners, including Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, GWR, and Network Rail, celebrated the start of construction with a turf-cutting ceremony at Okehampton Business Park.
Located just two minutes from the A30, the new station will enhance regional connectivity, providing access to jobs, education, healthcare, and other opportunities. This will boost the local economy and benefit the environment.
Okehampton Interchange will complement the existing Okehampton station, serving the growing eastern part of the town. It aims to reduce traffic and carbon emissions in the town centre and on Station Road.
Network Rail is delivering the new station, which will feature a single platform with step-free access via a footbridge, lift, and ramps. The station will also include a car park with 200 spaces, EV charging points, and disabled bays.
To promote sustainable travel, the station will offer improved walking and cycling links, sheltered cycle parking, and bus stops. Several local bus services will be integrated, enhancing travel options and connectivity between Okehampton, Bude, Holsworthy, Tavistock, and Exeter.
Okehampton Interchange will provide an hourly service to Crediton, Exeter, and the current Okehampton station.
Building on the success of Okehampton station, which saw over 250,000 passengers in the first year after its 2021 reopening, the new station is expected to further increase ridership on the Dartmoor Line.
Essential track work will take place from Saturday, March 8 to Friday, March 14 to facilitate the construction. During this period, buses will replace trains between Exeter and Okehampton.
Devon County Council Chairman John Hart said:
“It's excellent news that work is starting on this new station.”
“We’ve already seen the positive benefits the Dartmoor Line has had for this part of the county, and Okehampton Interchange will make it convenient for even more passengers across West Devon, North Devon and North Cornwall to enjoy rail travel to other parts of the county and further afield.”
Bogdan Lupu, Network Rail industry programme director, said: “This is the latest example of everyone coming together to help build an even better railway. Okehampton Interchange will get more people travelling by rail, boost the economy in the region and improve the local environment.”
Tom Pierpoint, GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, said: "New stations such as this are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we become mindful of the need to live and travel more sustainably - something we can see so visibly with the success of the reopening of Okehampton in November 2021.
"Working with our partners at Devon County Council; West Devon Borough Council and Network Rail, we are really pleased to be able to start work on this new station, continuing to invest in our railway and bringing train travel to the wider community of north Devon.
"We are excited for the benefits this station will bring to the local economy, to residents, businesses and to leisure travellers alike."
Photo credit: GWR
