A long-running campaign to bring the railway back to Bideford has gathered fresh momentum, with renewed political backing and plans now progressing towards a formal business case.
Campaigners and local leaders have met to discuss extending the existing North Devon line beyond Barnstaple to serve the growing communities across the Torridge area, which currently has no rail connection.
Tim Steer, Devon and Cornwall regional branch chair for Railfuture, said he had met with Sir Geoffrey Cox at the town’s former railway station to discuss the next steps.
Tim said: “I was delighted to be asked by Sir Geoffrey to attend a meeting at Bideford’s old railway station and to receive his renewed support.
“We discussed how the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance work is to modernise the existing North Devon (Tarka) line and to extend it to serve the growing conurbation of Greater Bideford (East the Water, Bideford, Appledore, Northam and Westward Ho!).
“Torridge is now the only Devon district without a rail connection and is well known for its rural deprivation and rising housing growth.
“We discussed that the new statutory transport authority is now set to take over responsibility from Devon County Council and they have already adopted the Local Transport Plan.
“The NDRDA will now work with the Torridge and Tavistock MP on the proposal of a Strategic Outline Business Case as set out by the Department for Transport.”
Sir Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, said the project could bring significant benefits to the area and drew comparisons with the reopening of the Okehampton line.
Sir Geoffrey said: “Tim Steer is one of the great campaigners and promoters of the idea of a Bideford extension from Barnstaple and a new railway station here in the town.
“I’ve long supported this project and Tim has been indefatigable on behalf of Railfuture on pushing forward this project.
“It would bring immense benefits to the town and to Torridge as a district just as the reopening of the Okehampton line in 2022 has brought to those parts of West Devon.
“I’m fully supporting this project and calling on all of our councils, our councillors, everybody involved in the local government of this region to see the value of improving the North Devon line and extending the line here to Bideford.
“That’s what we’re fighting for, we’re making good progress, let’s hope we can make the government listen, and get this line on target to being built in the next few years.”
