Investment in the Exeter to London Waterloo railway line is now urgent, says Devon MP

The long-neglected West of England line must go to the front of the queue for urgent investment in the face of climate change, a Devon MP has demanded.

Richard Foord, MP for the Honiton & Sidmouth constituency, has written to the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander to demand that Government prioritise the key rail route into Devon, which includes stations at Axminster, Honiton and Feniton.

The move follows news that services are seriously disrupted for the second year in a row, due to the track bed drying out.

Last year, the so-called soil moisture deficit problem lasted around three months, triggering endless chaos and travel misery.

Mr Foord has already received dozens of complaints from constituents who will be unable to get to work or college due to the reduced two-hourly unreliable schedule. Others say they have been crammed cheek by jowl in sweltering temperatures onto three-carriage trains, that are supposed to be made up of six carriages.

Mr Foord, who has spoken with South Western Railway to ask for a reliable rail replacement bus service to and from Exeter, said: “For the second year in succession, the West of England line is in disarray due to the effects of climate change. It is one of only two rail links in and out of London to the west country, is a key piece of our national transport infrastructure and for the next few months it will be utter chaos for commuters and students.

“We have seen billions of pounds poured into the likes of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, while the ageing rail infrastructure on the West of England line has been side-lined. This kind of transport misery cannot happen for a third of the year, or indeed every year, without it becoming an international embarrassment and an annual disaster for business, tourism and education. 

“New passing loops between Exeter and Salisbury would mean the hourly service would have been able to continue running. This would also enable a half hourly service in normal times. We need funding for these passing loops between Exeter and Salisbury to be a key priority. I look forward to the opportunity to press this case on my return to Westminster next month.”