Devon Metro
{{Short description|Urban railway network in Exeter undergoing metroisation.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox public transit
| image =
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| owner = GWR, SWR, Network Rail
| area served = Exeter travel to work area
| locale = Devon, UK
| transit_type = Urban and suburban rail
| start =
| end =
| stations = 40 Includes stations on the East Devon Line, which extends beyond Devon onto the West of England line with most trains continuing to London Waterloo. The East Devon Line is the brand name for the section within Devon between St Davids - Axminster and is considered as a part of the Devon Metro project despite being a "main line".
| annual_ridership =
| daily_ridership =
| host = Network Rail
| character = Commuter rail service undergoing incremental rapid transit style upgrades
| map = File:Devon Metro Network Map updated 2025.png
| map_state = show
| name = Devon Metro
| image2 = Exeter St Thomas - GWR 150244 Exmouth service.JPG
| caption2 = A Class 150 bound for Paignton on the Riviera Line calling at St Thomas station in 2018.
| lines = 5 linesThese are the physical branches that train services run on.
4 servicesThese are the services which are run as a single continuous route, but can run on multiple physical branch lines.
| train_length = 2 - 4 cars on most lines, 6 cars on most East Devon Line services.
| system_length = 112.5 mi (181 km)
| track_gauge = {{track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
}}
FIle:Marsh Barton - GWR 150247+150261 passing the new station works.JPG
The Devon Metro is the name given to the urban railway network in the English city of Exeter and its environs, which since 2011 has been undergoing a metroisation scheme by Devon County Council to provide a rapid transit-style service through incremental upgrades to the existing system.{{Cite web |title=Devon Metro Briefing - fulfilling the potential of rail |url= https://www.devon.gov.uk/devon_metro_briefing.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130529000324/https://www.devon.gov.uk/devon_metro_briefing.pdf |archive-date=29 May 2013 |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Devon County Council Website}} This includes increasing the frequency of trains on existing lines, opening new lines and stations,{{Cite web |title=Dartmoor Line |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/dartmoor-line/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Network Rail }}{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Daniel |date=5 February 2023 |title=Devon plan for new 'fast-track' train stations |url= https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/devon-metro-plan-new-fast-8089645 |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Devon Live }} and improving integration between lines and other modes of transport.{{Cite web |date=30 September 2022 |title=Devon's integrated vision |url= https://www.modernrailways.com/article/devons-integrated-vision |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=www.modernrailways.com }} Through these upgrades the network is to gradually become a "turn-up-and-go" service{{Cite news |date=28 October 2021 |title=Budget 2021: Funding backs reopening of Cullompton Railway Station |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-59082444 |access-date=16 July 2024 |work=BBC News }} without having to refer to a timetable, like more conventional metro systems.
The network is primarily made up of 5 lines with a total of 40 stations radiating from the city centre across the Greater Exeter Area, including the neighbouring districts of East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge,{{Cite web |title=Greater Exeter Strategic Plan |url=https://democracy.middevon.gov.uk/documents/s18198/Appendix%20A%20-%20Greater%20Exeter%20Strategic%20Plan%20Draft%20Policies%20and%20Site%20Options%20Consultation%2006082020%20.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705061152/https://democracy.middevon.gov.uk/documents/s18198/Appendix%20A%20-%20Greater%20Exeter%20Strategic%20Plan%20Draft%20Policies%20and%20Site%20Options%20Consultation%2006082020%20.pdf |archive-date=5 July 2022 |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Mid Devon District Council}} but in some instances extends beyond this with Barnstaple and Okehampton as termini for the Tarka and Dartmoor lines respectively.
History
= Background =
Due to the historical development of railways by competing companies in Exeter, which acts as the gateway to the rest of the South West Peninsula, the city has enjoyed an unusually extensive railway network for its size, being the meeting point of various lines.{{Cite web |title=Devon Metro – A Summary |url= https://www.avocetline.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Devon-Metro-Summary.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240205085118/https://www.avocetline.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Devon-Metro-Summary.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2024 |access-date=16 July 2024 |publisher= Avocet Line Rail Users Group}} Despite substantial sections of Exeter's railway infrastructure being selected for closure as a part of the Beeching Axe, such as St Thomas station or the Avocet and East Devon Lines,{{cite book |title=The Reshaping of British Railways |date=1963 |publisher= British Railways Board |location=London |pages=113 |url= http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRB_Beech001a.pdf}} most of the network survived but underwent significant economies to justify their retention, including the singling of previously double-tracked routes.{{Cite web |title=History |publisher= Avocet Line Rail Users Group |url= https://avocetline.co.uk/history-v2/ |access-date=16 July 2024 }}
In the years since, Exeter has gone through substantial expansion and has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the country,{{Cite news |date=5 December 2023 |title=Exeter: Consultations held over city's 20-year future |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-67618458 |access-date=16 July 2024 |work=BBC News }} with growth particularly large in the eastern suburbs of the city. This has led to Exeter becoming one of the most congested cities in the UK.{{Cite web |title=Highway Issues in Exeter |url= https://exetercivicsociety.org.uk/archived-pages/strategic-planning-and-highways-group/highway-issues-in-exeter/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Exeter Civic Society }} The need to reduce congestion on the roads led to the reopening of Pinhoe and Digby and Sowton{{cite journal |date=July 1995 |editor-last=Abbott |editor-first=James |title=Three new stations in summer timetable |volume=52 |page=388 |journal=Modern Railways |number=562}} stations in 1983 and 1995 respectively, and the construction of a new passing loop at Axminster in 2009 to increase the frequency on the East Devon Line.{{cite press release| url= http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4120&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=7| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110807195455/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/detail.aspx?releaseid=4120&newsareaid=2&searchcategoryid=7| archive-date=7 August 2011 |author=Network Rail| title=Redoubling at Axminster Begins| date=2 February 2009}} These enhancements in the east of the city were intended to attract more commuters to travel to and from the city centre by train instead of car. The local rail routes subsequently experienced rapid growth in passenger numbers forcing them to operate near or at maximum track capacity with the limitations of the single-track lines left after Beeching. This impacted reliability due to the lack of leeway available if a train was slightly delayed causing problems to cascade, often requiring trains to be cancelled to regulate the service. Compounded with the continuing high levels of congestion and population growth, this led to Devon County Council to submit an expression of interest to the government for funding towards what it dubbed the "Devon Metro scheme" in 2010.{{Cite web |title=The future of transport in Exeter |url=http://www.devon.gov.uk/futuretransportexeterleaflet.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112175946/http://www.devon.gov.uk/futuretransportexeterleaflet.pdf |archive-date=12 November 2011 |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Devon County Council}}
= Initial proposals =
Initial proposals of the Devon Metro scheme were laid out as part of the Future of Transport in Exeter consultation, which took place in March and April 2010.{{Cite web |date=23 March 2010 |title=Future of Transport in Exeter Consultation |url=http://www.devon.gov.uk/futuretransportexeter |access-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323025908/http://www.devon.gov.uk/futuretransportexeter |archive-date=23 March 2010 }} This set out short to medium term plans for new stations "related to areas of new development or existing employment sites in the city". New stations at Marsh Barton, Newcourt and Monkerton were explicitly mentioned. The proposal also included longer term goals such as a new station at Cullompton and increased train frequencies, however it also mentioned that increased train frequency would depend on the construction of new passing loops on single track lines.{{Cite web |title=Future of Transport in Exeter Display Panels |url=http://www.devon.gov.uk/futuretransportexeterpanels.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018120404/http://www.devon.gov.uk/futuretransportexeterpanels.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2015 |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=Devon County Council}}
In the final report written at the conclusion of the consultation, 84% of respondents indicated support for the rail enhancements under the Devon Metro scheme, with only 5% expressing opposition.{{Cite web |title=Future of Transport in Exeter Consultation and Discussion Final Report |url=http://www.devon.gov.uk/futureoftransportinexeterfullreport.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112180243/http://www.devon.gov.uk/futureoftransportinexeterfullreport.pdf |archive-date=12 November 2011 |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=Devon County Council}}
A further briefing was published in 2011 outlining the scheme in more detail, including an implementation plan for 2011-2026. In the short term they included:
- Increased frequency on the Riviera Line to 2tph to ease overcrowding
- Introduction of longer 4 car trains through cascading of rolling stock
- New Riviera line stations in Exeter at Marsh Barton and Newcourt, as well as at Edginswell in Torquay.
- New East Devon line station at Cranbrook.
The briefing also included longer term plans, including:
- Increased frequency on the Avocet line to 4tph, reliant on new passing loops being installed at Lympstone and Digby and Sowton.
- New Avocet line station at Monkerton to serve the Met Office headquarters at Exeter Business Park, reliant on an extra passing loop being installed.
- New station at Cullompton on the Bristol–Exeter line, reliant on a new local train service being introduced due to being located on the main line.
- Increased frequency on the East Devon line to 2tph, reliant on a new passing loop being installed at either Cranbrook or Whimple.
Several improvements were also ruled out at this stage:
- A new station at Exminster just south of Exeter was deemed not possible as the high levels of traffic on the South Devon main line, which overlaps with the majority of the Riviera line, only made a single additional station practical without further infrastructure improvements. (Marsh Barton was chosen instead as the station to be prioritised, eventually opening in 2023)
- Reactivating the Dartmoor line was not considered viable due to the high capital cost of the re-opening and the revenue cost of the operation. (Despite this the Dartmoor line was later reopened as a part of the Devon Metro in 2021, with funding from the Restoring Your Railway programme)
- Realigning the section of railway from Dawlish to Teignmouth to prevent disruption from sea water and weather damage was said to not justify the large costs.
Completed enhancements
= Cranbrook station =
{{main|Cranbrook railway station (Devon)|}}
= Newcourt station =
{{main|Newcourt railway station (England)}}
Newcourt railway station opened in 2015.
= Riviera Line timetable changes =
As part of the Devon Metro project, frequency on the Riviera Line between Exeter and Paignton was increased to two trains per hour,{{cite press release |url= https://news.gwr.com/news/half-hourly-paignton-services-to-be-restored |title=Half hourly Paignton services to be restored |date=21 February 2014 |publisher= Great Western Railway}}{{cite web|url=https://committees.exeter.gov.uk/documents/s37205/Transport%20Initiatives%20and%20Issues%20Update%20Appx%201%20Final.pdf|title=Appendix 1: Devon Metro proposals|website=Exeter City Council|access-date=26 March 2025}} which has also had the effect of increasing the frequency of the Avocet Line to Exmouth.
Also as part of the project, in the 2020 timetable change, the Tarka Line service between Barnstaple and Exeter was segregated from the service on the Avocet and Riviera Lines from Exmouth to Paignton via Exeter. It has been proposed that the Tarka Line could now be extended east from Exeter to Honiton along the West of England Main Line.
= Dartmoor Line =
{{main|Dartmoor Line}}
Prior to its reopening, the Dartmoor Line had not seen regular passenger service since 1972. It was used from then as a freight and heritage railway line, with trains carrying stone from Meldon Quarry and a heritage passenger service between Meldon Viaduct and Sampford Courtenay. From 1997, Devon County Council commissioned a "Dartmoor Sunday Rover" to be operated by First Great Western from Okehampton to St James Park in Exeter via St Davids during the summer period.
By 2020 both the quarry and the heritage railway had ceased operations. With the stone freight and heritage traffic gone, and the summer sunday service showing some success, this provided an opportunity for the full reopening and reintegration of the Dartmoor Line with the rest of the network.
In 2021, Network Rail acquired the line and laid new track from Colyford Junction to Okehampton funded by the Government's Restoring Your Railway programme. In November the same year regular passenger services recommenced, with a 2 hourly service from Okehampton to St Davids calling at Crediton. On weekday peaks, 5 trains a day also continue to Central and a select few continuing further to St James Park on match days. This was increased to an hourly service in 2022.
Sampford Courtenay, which was previously served by the GWR summer sunday service until 2019, has all trains pass through non-stop despite having a new platform surface installed when Network Rail took ownership and there are no plans to bring it back into passenger use.
= Marsh Barton station =
{{main|Marsh Barton railway station}}
Construction work started at Marsh Barton in April 2021.{{cite news |date=20 April 2021 |title=Work starts on Exeter's Marsh Barton station |work=Modern Railways Online |url=https://www.modernrailways.com/article/exeter-marsh-barton-devon-metro |access-date=30 March 2022}} The station was added to the National Rail timetable in May 2022, eventually opening for passenger services in July 2023.
Ongoing Works
= Okehampton Interchange =
{{main|Okehampton Interchange railway station}}
Following the reopening of the Dartmoor Line in 2021, plans and funding were announced for a 'West Devon Transport Hub' east of Okehampton in November 2023. Funding was approved by the Government in June 2024 as part of their "Levelling Up" policy and the station is expected to be opened in 2026, with construction having been ongoing since February 2025.{{cite news |title=Work begins to build Okehampton Interchange |url=https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/news/2025/work-begins-build-okehampton-interchange |access-date=1 June 2025 |publisher=West Devon Borough Council |date=26 February 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601153311/https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/news/2025/work-begins-build-okehampton-interchange |archive-date=1 June 2025}}{{cite news |title=Okehampton Interchange will open Devon 'gateway' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c86pv728n4zo |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=BBC News |date=14 March 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601153809/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c86pv728n4zo |archive-date=1 June 2025}}
Proposals
Plans to create a Devon Metro also include new stations at Edginswell, {{rws|Cullompton}} and {{rws|Monkerton}}. Furthermore, the council wishes for the Dartmoor Railway to be extended to serve the town of Tavistock, which would revive a connection provided until 1968 by the Exeter to Plymouth railway of the LSWR. A Tavistock rail link to Bere Alston was funded by the Restoring Your Railway fund until that was scrapped by the new Labour government.
Notes
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