THE mayor of Launceston has agreed to sit as the town’s representative on the Oke Rail Forum.

The Oke Rail Forum is hoping to restore the historic line that ran from Okehampton to Exeter, with the aim of re-connecting the south west with the rest of the country.

Mayor Margaret Young was keen to join and said: “They [the Forum] have contacted us to ask why we haven’t joined and whether we would like to have a representative sit on the forum.

“I have said yes, I would really like to sit on the forum, I think it is really important that we are there and engage with meetings.”

Cllr John Conway said: “I believe we need to get behind this. It will be of great benefit to Launceston to have a rail link from Okehampton onwards.

“You’ll be able to park your car, get on a train and off you go instead of having to battle your way to Plymouth or go down in order to go forward. It really is beneficial I think to Launceston and to Cornwall.”

It was agreed that Cllr Young would sit the forum on behalf of the town council joining representatives from Bude-Stratton and Holsworthy town councils.