Devon MP criticises rail funding delay

Richard Foord has said he won’t ‘sit and wait’

A Devon MP has blasted as “not good enough” plans to not consider funding for an essential Devon rail update until the next Parliament.

Richard Foord, the Liberal Democrat member for Honiton and Sidmouth, said the Exeter to Salisbury railway line – which serves various locations in his constituency such as Axminster, Feniton and Honiton – desperately needed upgrading.

Mr Foord has been among many voices calling for the line to be dualled in parts so that trains can pass each other on what is currently a predominantly single-track line.

That means the line’s capacity is curtailed compared to if it was dualled or passing loops were constructed.

Furthermore, Mr Foord complained that the line was forced to operate at half capacity during autumn because of the dry weather that made the soil around the line too dry and brittle.

That led to a temporarily reduced timetable.

“We can’t wait for it to rain again for the timetable to be restored so we need to invest in a passing loop and dualling,” Mr Foord said.

“But I have had a letter back from the Department for Transport that is pretty depressing, stating that Network Rail is now exploring any upgrades for its next funding period – beginning in 2029.

“It’s the government putting it off until the next Parliament, which I am not satisfied with given the modest investment of a passing loop and the difference it would make to the rail service for the people in East Devon.”

The letter to Mr Foord, from the Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said she was aware of bids to create new passing loops at Feniton and Tisbury, as well as dualling near Whimple, projects which could “provide more resilience to the West of England line and for potential Devon metro services”.

“The government announced its investment plans for road and rail schemes in the current spending period in July 2025, following the multi-year Spending Review,” Ms Alexander said.

“While this did not include any funding for the West of England line, Network Rail is exploring integrating proposals into their Control Period 8 (starting in 2029) renewals plans for that part of the network.

“I would encourage you to continue to work with Devon County Council and other stakeholders in the development of proposals that help meet the needs of local communities and planned housing growth in the area.”

Mr Foord said that was “not good enough”, and pledged that he was “not going to sit and wait” for funding to come sooner, but would keep pressuring ministers over the issue.