Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, launched the name of Okehampton’s new railway station last week in a special ceremony.
Representatives from Great Western Railway, Network Rail, Devon County Council, and West Devon Borough Council attended alongside Mr Stride.
The new station, to be known as Okehampton Interchange, is an exciting new purpose-built stop on the Dartmoor Line, and the result of the £15 million West Devon Transport Hub project.
£13.4 million of this financial backing comes from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, which West Devon Borough Council successfully applied for last year.
The station will be on the edge of Okehampton and only a two-minute drive from the A30. It will have a larger car park than Okehampton, as well as improved bus links and better access by foot and bicycle.
Unveiling the new name, Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, said: “Another step in the history of the very successful reopening of the Okehampton to Exeter rail line. Following recent confirmation of £13.5 million in Government Levelling Up Funding the naming of our new station is the first step for a project that will benefit thousands of local people in Okehampton and surrounding communities.”
Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “The popularity of the Dartmoor line has been phenomenal since it reopened and the Okehampton Interchange will broaden its appeal further still, opening up rail access to wider areas of West Devon, Dartmoor and North Cornwall. The convenient location of Okehampton Interchange will encourage even more people to take up sustainable travel and the name of the station reflects the integration of rail, bus, cycling and walking links to the station.”
