The dream of a revived railway to Bideford is sparking hope, but a critical reality check reveals pressing issues on an existing line must be addressed first!
While the idea of passenger rail services making a comeback to Bideford is gaining serious traction, the immediate and most urgent priority for North Devon lies in significantly upgrading the Barnstaple to Exeter route, affectionately known as the Tarka Line. This is the crucial bottleneck that needs untangling before any expansion can be realistically considered.
Tim Steer, the newly appointed branch chairman for Railfuture in Devon and Cornwall, has voiced that reconnecting Bideford to Barnstaple has been a long-standing aspiration. However, he emphasizes that pursuing this goal would be futile without first resolving the existing problems plaguing the Tarka Line. Think of it like trying to build a new road before fixing the potholes on the main highway – it just won't work efficiently!
But here's where it gets controversial... A detailed business case, outlining the costs associated with making the Tarka Line truly 'fit-for-purpose,' is slated for publication in March. This document is expected to shed light on the financial realities of these much-needed improvements.
The Tarka Line is currently facing severe overcrowding, a problem so significant that it has been raised in Parliament by Ian Roome, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Devon. Last year, alarming reports emerged of passengers being physically pushed, shoved, and even injured due to the sheer volume of people trying to board. To make matters worse, recent heavy rainfall has led to flooding, causing widespread train delays and cancellations, further exacerbating the existing capacity issues.
Mr. Steer, a dedicated advocate for rail enhancements in North Devon for many years, now lends his expertise to campaigners across two counties as the Railfuture lead. He describes the current situation as a "health and safety nightmare," with hundreds of people being prevented from boarding trains during peak hours. Imagine waiting at one of the 12 stations between Barnstaple and Exeter, only to watch train after train pass by because there's simply no room for anyone else to get on. It’s a frustrating and potentially dangerous scenario.
"If the national government is serious about investing in this region, the Barnstaple to Exeter line absolutely needs to be at a better capacity, and that needs to happen immediately," Mr. Steer urged. "More and more people are choosing to travel by train, with passenger numbers approaching one million annually and an impressive eight percent increase year on year." This surge in demand highlights the urgent need for more space and reliability.
To truly improve the Tarka Line, Mr. Steer suggests a multi-pronged approach: doubling the number of carriages to accommodate more passengers, implementing enhanced resilience measures to prevent cancellations caused by flooding, achieving journey times of under an hour, and providing two services per hour. "This has to be the priority before rail returns to Bideford," he firmly stated. "As it stands, if the line extended to Bideford, there would be absolutely no chance of anyone getting on at Barnstaple."
And this is the part most people miss... Barnstaple is now recognized as the third most congested area in the South West, outside of Plymouth and Exeter, according to INRIX traffic data. This statistic underscores the critical importance of encouraging people to leave their cars at home and opt for public transport.
While the case for restoring rail services to Bideford is gaining momentum, the financial commitment required to develop a comprehensive business case for government consideration could reach up to £1 million. Mr. Steer has been diligently working to secure buy-in from various stakeholders, interest groups, and local authorities in recent months.
He pointed out that since the significant railway network cuts ordered by Dr. Beeching in the 1960s, which left Barnstaple as North Devon's sole rail link, Bideford has experienced a decline. "There's been a gradual deterioration, a noticeable deprivation, and businesses have struggled," he explained. "People believe the Tarka Trail brings in a lot of money, but it doesn't. It's a route for cyclists passing through, not a destination for visitors. We need to attract investment back into the town."
Mr. Steer believes that reconnecting the railway could have a transformative effect. "If the railway is reconnected, companies like Navantia, who own Appledore Shipyard, could secure larger contracts from the national government," he suggested. He also drew a parallel with Okehampton, where the return of the railway has led to thriving businesses and new shop openings, demonstrating the economic prosperity that rail connectivity can bring.
The Railfuture leader warned that continuing to build new housing without the necessary infrastructure will only perpetuate Bideford's struggles. "My utopian vision would be to see something akin to the Exmouth to Exeter line for Bideford to Barnstaple," he mused. "Imagine a rail line running alongside a walking and cycling trail – a truly sustainable, multi-modal transport system where people can choose their preferred way to travel between town and city."
Torridge District Council has already made a financial contribution towards the preliminary strategic business case for the Bideford to Barnstaple line, and further detailed discussions are planned for a future meeting.
What do you think? Is it more important to fix the existing Tarka Line first, or should we push ahead with the Bideford link regardless? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
