Journey numbers on the Dartmoor Line have passed 250,000 a year after re-opening to regular passenger trains.
The line reopened on 20 November 2021, restoring a regular, year-round service for the first time in almost 50 years following more than £40m of Government investment.
The previously mothballed rail line, which runs between Okehampton and Exeter, was restored in just nine months and was the the first former line to reopen under the Government’s £500m Restoring Your Railway programme.
In the same week as it celebrated its one-year anniversary, the Dartmoor Line also saw its 250,000 journey, more than double the demand originally forecast.
Michelle Handforth, Network Rail’s Wales and Western regional managing director, said: “I am so pleased with the positive impact the Dartmoor Line is having on supporting greater connectivity, boosting local businesses, the tourism sector, and providing greater access to education and work for the thousands of people who live locally."
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Reinstatement of the Dartmoor Line was made possible by Network Rail’s team of engineers which laid 11 miles of new track and installed 24,000 concrete sleepers and 29,000 tonnes of ballast in a record-breaking 20-day period.
Since Great Western Railway (GWR) increased services to hourly in May 2022, passenger use has continued to rise, with over 500 journeys starting at Okehampton every day and a further 300 travelling into the town from across the rail network.
Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP, unveiled a plaque to mark the official reopening of the Okehampton station building to mark the anniversary.
He said: “With over 250,000 journeys made, restoring this vital route has undone 50 years of damage – we’ve reconnected a community and created new opportunities for jobs, tourism, education and leisure.
“Our Restoring Your Railway programme is making a real contribution to levelling up the country and breathing new life into previously cut-off areas.”
On his visit, Mr Merriman opened the fully refurbished station building, featuring The Bulleid Buffet café, Dartmoor National Park information centre, shop, toilets, heritage-style waiting room and museum.
While the work to finish the Dartmoor Line is now complete, efforts are still being made to provide better connections from the Dartmoor Line, to surrounding towns and communities.
Devon County Council and local bus operators have worked with Great Western Railway to provide better bus links to Tavistock, seven days a week direct from Okehampton station. This now also includes new routes to Launceston and Bude which run direct to the station.
Mel Stride, Central Devon MP said the plan now is to secure additional funds for a second station on the eastern edge of town.
"[This is] something I am working closely with local councillors and campaigners to achieve. This will maximise the economic benefit and reduce congestion in the town."
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