“Cinderella of UK railway lines”– Devon MP takes aim at plans for house building without rail investment

Richard Foord, the MP for Honiton & Sidmouth, yesterday condemned the government’s plans for a blanket “yes” to housing proposals within 15 minutes of “well-connected” railway stations, arguing instead for an “infrastructure-first” approach, and demanded government investment in the West of England rail line.

Mr Foord is a strong advocate for an improved rail service between Exeter and London Waterloo. He told MPs gathered in Westminster Hall that the government’s current plans for a blanket “yes” to new housing within 15 minutes of railway stations, could put communities such as Feniton, Honiton, Axminster and Cullompton at risk of unfettered housing growth.

The East Devon MP argued that the West of England line has become the Cinderella of the UK railway lines. In his speech to fellow MPs, Mr Foord said that trains serving residents on the West of England line provide a “Cinderella service.”

Continuing the theme, Richard Foord said: “People stood waiting for a South Western Railway carriage to travel from Feniton, Honiton or Axminster may wonder if they are waiting for a pumpkin.”

The West of England line is not well-connected

Speaking after the debate, Foord explained: “The line between Exeter and London Waterloo had much of its dual track removed years ago. It cannot run more than an hourly service, with unreliable, overcrowded diesel rolling stock. Last autumn, the track-bed dried out, and the frequency of services was cut in half. Stations on this railway line are plainly not “well connected.”

Significant concerns about local unfettered housing growth

“The government proposals could potentially open the door to development in any village or town that has a railway station, apparently without restriction. New housing developments surely cannot be justified in this way, when the rail infrastructure is sub-standard. It raises significant concerns for residents of communities like Feniton, Honiton, and Axminster.”

Funding is needed to upgrade the line 

Mr Foord continued: “A vision for the line has been laid out by the Salisbury to Exeter Rail Users Group, with six points agreed by key stakeholders, including South Western Railway, Network Rail, GWR, and Devon County Council.

“This plan includes new rolling stock and power sources, signalling and delivering double track – or at the very least, a passing loop at Whimple.

“Yet without investment and improvement, the ailing West of England line will not have that connectivity. In the absence of that investment, the railway stations on this line cannot be the basis on which new housing is given approval.

“We need the infrastructure first. Absent investment in the railway line, we cannot see house building in unsuitable locations.”