The Business and Community Case for the Exeter to Plymouth complementary route via Okehampton G R O UP

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1 The Business and Community Case for the Exeter to Plymouth complementary route via Okehampton DESTINATION OKEHAMPTON A TOWN COUNCIL WORKING G R O UP

2 Our Aim THE AIM IS TO DEMONSTRATE THE VALUE OF THE LINE VIA OKEHAMPTON [ OPTION 2 ] NOT JUST AS A FAST COMPLEMENTARY ROUTE IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS BUT SERVING TO REGENERATE THE ECONOMY OF WEST DEVON, TORRIDGE AND NORTH CORNWALL

3 For almost half a century large areas of West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall have been without easy access the national rail network. Currently, some 100,000 people have no main line rail service at all

4 Number of Responses Chart 1. Showing responses to the question, which of the following places do you visit on a regular basis? Places visited on a regular basis Exeter Plymouth Barnstaple Bristol London Other Cities Towns and Cities

5 Remoteness of Bude from National Rail Network MILEAGE FROM R A I LWAY D I S TA NCE & T I ME Bude to Okehampton Bude to Barnstaple Bude to Exeter Bude to Plymouth Miles Time Bude to Plymouth Bude to Exeter Bude to Barnstaple min Bude to Okehampton min

6 Rail Investment - Lack of investment in the South West rail infrastructure The NW gets 337 but the SW ( with the lowest population figur e) just 212. Rail investment compared with other areas of Britain. London currently spends 774 per head of population, To put this in perspective, the cont ingency fund for the HS2 is 7.5 billion The Northern line reinstatement would cost million. These costs include re-engineering of the line to make the journey tim -e competitive with the Southern

7 By passing Effect - the possible adverse effects of communities being bypassed by potential new lines The Exeter - Okehampton Tavistock Plymouth route would be complementary therefore all existing stations and communities would continue to be served The Northern route would serve Plymouth and beyond Fast Rail Travel would be possible to all major UK Cities

8 Reputation of the Sub - Region The lack of rail resilience would have a long term effect on the SW at a location for business A complementary route would boost confidence in the area, not just the coastal zone Business journeys would be facilitated and tourism / leisure travel

9 Tourism Benefits Overseas Visitors spent 552 million in Devon, Cornwall & Somerset in 2013 This represents an extra 264,000 visitors compare with 2012 Economic benefit the Peninsula an additional 72 million pounds

10 Freight Potential of the Northern Route A Plymouth Tavistock- Okehampton Exeter 60 mph container traffic service is possible Plymouth naval significance gives the complementary line NATIONAL STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE Freight to Torridge, West Devon & North Cornwall would improve traffic flows

11 Avoiding Disruption Cost Network Rail pays the Train Operating Companies for each train stoppage where a replacement bus is provided Each minute of delay cost about 250 If Dawlish line is out of action for a full day = 280,000

12 The Missing Link miles There is not a great deal of incursion on the line Some bridges are missing and the Meldon Viaduct needs testing / strengthing A new station[s] required at Sourton [A30 corridor park & ride]

13 The Myth of Time Fastest Journey Time between Exeter and Plymouth 51 Minutes 32 Seconds

14 Summary Points The decision to open the complementary route via Exeter Okehampton - Tavistock Plymouth should not be based on the desire for marginal time saving alone The long term benefit cost ratio of the line to communities it would serve MUST be taken into account The Northern Route would generate employment and skills development AND facilitate the access to a wider market

15 Making the Case for the Northern Route Myth of Time Address Rail Resilience Case Evidence Business Case Community Demand Councils working together Cross Party Support Consensus