New Exeter station: nearly signed-off

The next train to arrive at Marsh Barton may be some time away

Final approval for the late running Marsh Barton Railway Station is set to be granted next week.

The station should have been up and running four years ago but delays, spiralling costs and protracted discussions with the rail industry led to the plan running at shunting speed.

On Wednesday Devon County Council’s cabinet is likely to give approval for the construction of the £16 million project.

The delivery of the station has been a long-term aspiration for the council and forms part of the Devon Metro project, which encompasses a range of rail infrastructure improvements in the Exeter area, with the scheme for Marsh Barton station aimed to provide sustainable access to employment, retail and leisure opportunities.

The proposed station will have two platforms, with the eastern and western platforms served by trains to Newton Abbot and Exeter, respectively. Each platform will be 124 metres in length, sufficient to accommodate trains formed of up to five carriages.

No parking spaces will be provided for general use, as it is expected the station will primarily serve as a destination, and it is intended to encourage use of sustainable modes of transport.

The station will be funded by a variety of sources, including £1.3m each from Exeter City Council and Teignbridge District Council, £3m from the Department for Transport, and nearly £3m from the existing Local Transport Plan.

Dave Black, head of transportation, planning and environment, in his report to Devon's cabinet, said: “This rail station scheme is an important infrastructure project that will boost sustainable travel choices for residents living on the rail lines in Teignbridge, Exeter and East Devon accessing jobs in Marsh Barton and leisure opportunities on the Riverside Valley / Exe Estuary Trail.

“It also delivers a safer pedestrian and cycle link across the railway to promote healthier, active lifestyles for short to medium distance journeys. The scheme fits well with the County Council’s climate emergency commitment and supports Local Plan strategic policies relating to growth in Alphington and South West Exeter, and a business case was submitted for the scheme in order to secure Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal funding showed a ‘very high’ value for money category.”

Cllr Alan Connett, who represents the Exminster & Haldon division, has welcomed the final step to getting the Marsh Barton station back on the tracks in 2021 He said: “I really hope that we’ll be able to blow the departure whistle for this much needed and important station serving Marsh Barton and the wider community.

“The final estimated price of £16 million is much higher than first estimated. However, the station will mean that people travelling to Marsh Barton and neighbouring areas for work will not need to drive. They will have the choice to go by train. With the cycle network in Exeter, it also means people could cycle or walk to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and County Hall, for example.

“It’s also a major boost for the economy at this time, when we are so badly affected by the Covid downturn in the economy. The construction project will create new jobs and that is to be welcomed.”

Councillors will hear on Wednesday that the new station will be served by the current half-hourly service on the Paignton – Exmouth line and will be adjacent to the Energy from Waste plant at Marsh Barton, close to Clapperbrook Lane.