Charming English town is getting new £42million train station that will reopen key link shut for over 60 years
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A RURAL English town has been given the green light for a new £42million train station that will reopen a vital link.
After more than 60 years without a railway station, Cullompton has been granted funding by the Department of Transport and HM Treasury.
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Cullompton has been given the green light for a new £42million train station
Credit: Alamy
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The new station will also be next to the motorway services at Junction 28 of the M5
Credit: Alamy
The announcement is set to turbo-charge the economy of the Devon town and provide desperately needed transport links for locals and visitors.
The funding will also help to support plans for a new station in Wellington.
Cullompton station first opened in 1844 and closed in 1964.
The reopening will be key to enabling the Culm Garden Village development, which will create around 5,000 homes.
The new station will also be next to the motorway services at Junction 28 of the M5.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: 'Further investment in rail infrastructure in Devon is always welcome and this railway station for Cullompton is key to the town's economic growth and will help reduce carbon emissions in the county.
"People need improved public transport options if they're going to be encouraged to change their travel habits.
"Hopefully Cullompton could follow the success of Okehampton Station and the re-opening of the Dartmoor Line, which is a great example of what can be achieved given the necessary funding from government.'
In April, a delegation of 30 people from the region travelled to London to hand-deliver powerful letters of support to rail minister Lord Hendy.
Backed by a cross-party group of South West MPs and Wellington Town Council, the letters stressed how restoring rail links to both Okehampton and nearby Wellington could unlock major economic, social and environmental benefits.
Lord Hendy said: 'The stations would contribute to sustainable development, connecting new residential areas with regional employment, education and healthcare opportunities.
"The case for taking a combined approach presents significantly higher value for money compared with a stand-alone project in either area.'
He added: 'Reopening Cullompton and Wellington stations would be a strategic investment aligning with the Government's goals to drive economic growth, reduce environmental impact and improve social mobility.'
Economic growth
Gideon Amos, who also backed the scheme, said: 'For the cost of around £42 million, £180 million of economic growth would go into the region — which I know the Government would want to see.
'Frankly, there is no other rail project in the south-west that is ready to go and could be built and completed in the next two years, as the project is so far advanced.
'In fact, had it not been for the review in July last year, the spades would be in the ground and the platforms under construction, because the contract was about to be let and the detailed design was almost finished.'
And Labour MP Simon Lightwood added in the Commons: 'The strategic objectives are clear.
"Enhancing public transport connectivity will support growth and productivity in Exeter, Taunton and Bridgwater, while also reducing road congestion, car dependency and carbon emissions.'
He continued: 'The stations would contribute to sustainable development, connecting new residential areas with regional employment, education and healthcare opportunities."
This comes as satellite images of a new £15million train station at Okehampton were revealed.
The station, which will be the newest addition to the Dartmoor Line, connecting West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall with Exeter and beyond, will also benefit education and leisure services in the region.
GWR Regional Growth Manager David Whiteway said the project would provide "valuable support for the community and local economies".
Satellite images show the rapid development of the £15million scheme, which is being funded by the Department for Transport with contributions from Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council.
Since work began in January, major progress has been made to create the new station on the edge of Okehampton, two minutes from the A30.
In March, 300 metres of the single-line track was moved 90cm north to allow a new platform to be built alongside it.
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