THE possibility that within a year or two there could be regular train services between Okehampton and Exeter accessible to residents of the Bude and Holsworthy areas was the tantalising prospect held out at a well-attended public meeting in the Falcon Hotel, Bude last Saturday morning, October 21, writes Christine Williams.

The occasion was the annual meeting of campaigning group ‘Connect Bude’, which was established about a year ago.

The chairman of the committee Richard Wolfenden-Brown explained that when following Bude Youth Theatre’s production, ‘The Last Train to Bude’, last March he had held a referendum to find out how many people would be interested in the restoration of a rail service to Bude — everyone had voted yes. He had therefore organised a public meeting in the Parkhouse Centre, attended by over 150 people.

He gave an update on the progress made since then. Monthly meetings had been held and they now had a legal constitution, a logo and would soon have a website.

Their agreed aims were to: 1 — Campaign to reconnect Bude and Holsworthy to the National Rail Network, initially via Okehampton; 2 — Promote an improved rail service between Okehampton and Exeter and beyond; 3 — Ensure the track bed of the former railway is protected against further development; 4 — Garner the widespread community support of individuals, elected representatives and businesses in order to achieve the first three objectives.

They had the support of the Bude and Stratton Town Council and were working closely with colleagues at Okehampton. They had supported a chartered train last spring to take 500 people from Okehampton to London.

The Southwest stakeholders recognised the need to prioritise the region where less money was spent on transport than in any other region in the country. Since 1996 there had been a 230% increase in rail travel in the region. He did not underestimate the challenges and they needed to build up their membership, but he believed they were ‘pushing at an open door’.

Dr Michael Ireland, chair of OkeRAIL CIC, was attending the meeting to lend his support to Connect Bude and to stress the need for them to work together. He said that leasing and ownership of the line was a stumbling block and that Malcolm Parsons of Network Rail wanted the Okehampton line back in Network Rail’s ownership.

They had the support of local MPs and during the election campaign the Secretary of State Chris Grayling announced a plan to reintroduce a trial rail service between Okehampton and Exeter by the end of 2018. An update had been received from Devon County Council’s transportation manager, Andrew Ardley on a proposed Okehampton Parkway station.

Their primary aim was to establish a regular rail service from Okehampton station with improved access for parking and he speculated there might be a regular coach service to the station from Bude and Holsworthy.

Meanwhile progress was being made on their plans for a new Okehampton Parkway station on the eastern outskirts of the town at Hameldown Road near the recycling centre with easy access from the A30. It would incorporate a ‘Park and Ride’ area with 200 spaces for cars and HGV, bus and coach parking.

For 18 weeks during the last few summers they had run a Sunday service and following the success of the Royal Oke train, which last spring had taken 500 passengers from Okehampton to London, there were plans for three more special trains in 2018. In the spring there would be one to Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, a summer trip to the seaside at Tenby or Weymouth and another train to London in October.

During a time for questions and comments some thought there was a need for the line from Okehampton to Plymouth to be reopened as only the previous day the line through Dawlish had been closed during stormy weather. Another suggestion was a coach connection to Newquay Airport.

A retired railwayman wondered how they would overcome the problem of dismantled bridges and former track now built on or used as cycle paths.

Richard thought it would be feasible to get as far as Holsworthy with an ongoing connecting coach service to Bude as happened for 20 years from 1879 when the line was first opened. Their primary aim was to connect North Cornwall to the Okehampton and Exeter hubs. Above all it was suggested they needed to ‘project themselves’ and promote themselves by attracting more and more support.

Mr Wolfenden-Brown said: “We were delighted with the turnout and the strong support expressed at the meeting for what Connect Bude is trying to achieve.

“Our membership had more than doubled by the end of the meeting and our aim is now to grow the membership substantially in order to be able to demonstrate the level of support locally for the goal of reconnecting Bude and Holsworthy to the National Railway Network. Those wishing to become individual members (£10), business members (£20) or supporters (free) can do so by e-mailing [email protected]

“We are also keen to welcome new members with a range of skills to join the action group of Connect Bude, which meets monthly at The Falcon Hotel. The next meeting is Tuesday, November 14, at 7.30pm.”