Department for Transport New Station Fund backs new railway station for Exeter

Devon County Council has today welcomed Government backing for a new railway station in Exeter.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin was in Devon today to announce that the Department for Transport’s New Station Fund would provide half the funding of the near £1.5 million scheme for a new station at Newcourt. The other half will be met by developer contributions.

Devon County Council will now work with Network Rail to finalise the Newcourt station plans which will deliver a new platform and shelter, ticket machine and passenger information system, secure cycle parking, disabled parking spaces and CCTV. The station will be served by a half-hourly local service on the Exmouth branch.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “Receiving this New Station Funding is excellent news for our plans to improve the local rail network in the county and to improve the frequency of services. Having met the Transport Secretary I was encouraged to receive Government support for our Devon Metro initiative.

“There will be around 3,500 new homes in the Newcourt area so transport links will be vital in this part of the city in order to reduce traffic on the roads. I’m sure residents will appreciate having such direct access to rail services when the station is up and running.

"The new stations planned for Newcourt and Marsh Barton are a key element of the Devon Metro initiative and will be a boost for the local economy by providing access to significant areas of housing and employment.”

The New Station Fund, managed by Network Rail, was launched at the end of January when bids were invited from local authorities, train operating companies and developers for funding towards the construction costs of brand new stations.

Planning applications have been submitted for Newcourt Station and also for a station at Marsh Barton. It is hoped that both applications could be determined by the County Council’s Development Management Committee in the summer.

Subject to planning approval the aim would be to construct Newcourt Station by the end of 2014, and Marsh Barton in 2015/16.