Train services between Okehampton, Barnstaple, and Exeter are back on track following successful engineering work by Network Rail to improve and safeguard the railway in Devon.
At the outskirts of Okehampton, significant progress was made with the construction of the new Okehampton Interchange station. To accommodate a new platform, 300 metres of single-line track were shifted 90cm north. The previous track configuration did not meet the regulations required for new stations.
After seven days of continuous work, the railway reopened on Saturday morning (15 March). The process involved cutting and removing the track, excavating ballast, adjusting the track bed, and installing new track along with 20 concrete sleepers. Additionally, 1,000 tonnes of ballast were laid and compacted.
For drainage, two new chambers were installed beneath the track, and 300 tonnes of stone were laid to facilitate water flow away from the railway.
Construction continues on the platform and a 200-space car park. The next major phase, scheduled for summer, will see the installation of a footbridge and lift shaft. Once the station opens in 2026, the bridge will provide access from the car park to the platform.
Okehampton Interchange will be the latest addition to the Dartmoor Line, linking West Devon and North Cornwall with Exeter and beyond. This project is funded by the Government, Devon County Council, and West Devon Borough Council, and is being delivered by Network Rail and GWR.
The Dartmoor Line to Okehampton was reopened in 2021, reinstating a regular, year-round service for the first time in nearly 50 years. Since then, 775,000 journeys have been made, surpassing expectations.
Additionally, work was carried out near Crediton on the Tarka Line from Exeter to Barnstaple during the temporary railway closure. Two bridges were repaired to ensure the railway's safety for decades to come.
Network Rail lead portfolio manager Alex Phillips said:
“We’ve been hard at work to reposition the track so it’s ready for the new station. Trains can now operate as normal while we continue our work.
“We’re sorry for the disruption but the public can look forward to the benefits of the new station long into the future.”
GWR business development portfolio director Tom Pierpoint said:
"New stations such as Okehampton Interchange 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 the 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."
Image credit: Network Rail
