Current Rail Improvement Schemes

The rail sub-group, Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF), leads the work on rail. Its ambition of a 21st century rail network is underpinned by three priorities:

A resilient and reliable railway – protecting the coastal mainline is our top priority. The South West rail network needs a resilient line, with trains that are capable of operating all year round. Dawlish sea wall improvements, starting with Phase 1 just to the south of Dawlish Station, is now complete. Phase 2 to the north of Dawlish Station is under construction, and Phase 3 Parson’s Tunnel Rockfall Shelter is about to commence construction. Government funding is being sought for Phase 4 Central Tunnels, while Phase 5 involving resilience of the line between Teignmouth and Parson’s Tunnel is subject to a design review and a commitment to fund the scheme from Government.

There also needs to be a commitment to complete development work for a package of infrastructure enhancements to deliver greater track capacity between Castle Cary and Exeter, along the Exeter to Waterloo line via Honiton and Yeovil. This will both facilitate trains being diverted in the event of line blockades on the main line via Taunton, but also enable frequency increases serving Honiton and Cranbrook.

Reducing journey times and better connectivity between our key UK markets, including London, the Midlands and the North. PRTF has stated that there needs to be infrastructure and signalling improvements and an introduction of modern rolling stock for the CrossCountry Voyager fleet. There also needs to be an increase in frequency of trains for passengers travelling both within and in and out of the Peninsula. In addition to the hourly fast service from Paddington through to Penzance, moving from a current two-hourly semi-fast service from Paddington to Exeter to an hourly service initially and subsequently extended from Exeter to Plymouth.

Increasing capacity and comfort will transform the service for passengers. There needs to be an increase in the frequency of trains and the number of seats must meet forecasted passenger growth. We need to see the introduction of pioneering digital services to drive a world leading passenger experience. There must be a commitment for continuous, reliable and quality mobile connectivity, enabling improved WiFi provision to allow passengers to be productive across the entire rail network. Mainline services need to offer onboard catering of a consistent and high quality standard and there needs to be increased luggage capacity to deliver a high quality passenger experience.

There are numerous rail schemes across the peninsula being undertaken by a range of organisations including Network Rail, Great Western Railway and local transport authorities. Together these schemes contribute to the overall improvement of the rail network in the South West. Learn more about:

• Closing the gap – the South West Peninsula strategic rail blueprint
• Network Rail strategic studies
• Current rail improvement schemes

South West Rail Priorities

South West Rail Resilience Project

Resilience of the coastal mainline at Dawlish has always been the top rail priority for the peninsula. This line is a vital national link, connecting the South West to the rest of the UK.

Network Rail has already delivered many elements of the South West Rail Resilience Programme, and completion of all five phases will secure the line’s long-term resilience — critical to both the economic success and levelling-up of the region.
➡ More information is available on Network Rail’s website.

Delivering the northern route is key to improving connectivity and capacity for the peninsula. Our ambition is to see the full reopening of the Plymouth–Okehampton line.

• The first phase, the Okehampton to Exeter line reopened in November 2021, providing a seven-day service that has:

• Improved travel-to-work connectivity

• Expanded public transport choices

• Delivered tourism benefits for Dartmoor National Park and links to north Cornwall

• In addition, Devon County Council submitted a funding bid under the Restoring Your Railways initiative (Feb 2021) to reinstate the line between Tavistock and Bere Alston, reconnecting Tavistock to Plymouth by rail.

Onboard mobile connectivity remains a longstanding issue. The PRTF’s Closing the Gap strategy (2016) identified it as one of the top three rail priorities.

PRTF is now working with Network Rail to secure funding to deliver continuous mobile coverage across all lines in the South West, eliminating current “not spots” and improving connectivity for passengers and communities alike.

Plans for St Budeaux Station (Victoria Road and Ferry Road) will create a sustainable transport interchange in Plymouth, supporting:

• Better walking, cycling, and public transport connections

• Easier access for commuters from South East Cornwall and West Devon

• Links to jobs and services in the Derriford/Northern Corridor and City Centre/Waterfront growth areas
  ➡ More information is available on Plymouth City Council’s website.

Future work will explore ways to unlock the potential of rail freight, including:

• Night freight services

• Infrastructure upgrades

Shifting more goods to rail offers a solution to short-term driver shortages and provides a longer-term, lower-carbon alternative to road freight.

To support the National Bus Strategy, future work will also focus on developing rail stations as multi-modal hubs, better connecting rail with bus, walking, and cycling networks.

Edginswell Station – A proposed new railway station on the edge of Torquay, between Newton Road and Riviera Way. The station will increase the opportunities for travel and provide connections for residents and commuters. Learn more on Torquay Council’s website.

Exeter St David’s Station– Redevelopment plans to transform it into a gateway for the city. Learn more here:

Marsh Barton Station – Marsh Barton will be a new railway station situated on the Exeter to Newton Abbot line, south of Clapperbrook Lane adjacent to the Energy from Waste Plant. The project aims to improve the competitiveness of existing businesses and will unlock further economic growth through development at Marsh Barton and South West Exeter. Learn more on Devon County Council’s website.

Plymouth Station – Plymouth Station is currently under redevelopment to transform it into a gateway for the city. Learn more on Plymouth City Council’s website.

Taunton Station – Great Western Railway (GWR) is redeveloping Taunton Station and improving the interchange facilities. Learn more on GWR’s website.

Wellington and Cullompton Railway Stations Project – The Devon and Somerset Metro Board submitted a case to the Department of Transport in February 2021 to reopen the stations at Wellington and Cullompton. This was favourably received and work is now progressing to develop detailed designs for each town. Both stations were closed in 1964 but the populations of each town have grown significantly since. More information on Cullompton Station is available on Mid Devon District Council’s website and more information on Wellington station is available on Somerset West and Taunton Council’s website.