Agenda item

To receive a report from the Strategic Manager of Growth, Economy and Delivery on the Northen Devon Railway Development Alliances.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Strategic Manager Growth, Economy and Delivery introducing the work of the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA) to develop a strategic outline business case for significant capital investment in the North Devon Line between Exeter and Barnstaple.

RESOLVED that:

1.     That Mid Devon District Council supports the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA) by officially joining the alliance to achieve delivery of a modernisation programme for the North Devon (Tarka) Line passenger rail services between Exeter and Barnstaple, to achieve the associated economic, social and environmental benefits for our local communities and businesses.

2.     A financial contribution of £1,000 to support the third annual convention of the NDRDA scheduled for March 2026 at a location in Mid Devon be APPROVED.

Note: *Report previously circulated

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Strategic Manager Growth, Economy and Delivery introducing the work of the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA) to develop a strategic outline business case for significant capital investment in the North Devon Line between Exeter and Barnstaple.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The report was received and supported by the Planning, Environment and Sustainable Policy Development Group. 
• Proposals for investment into North Devon (Tarka) Line had been brought about by unprecedent change and growth in passenger demand which in 2025 amounted to one million passenger journeys between Barnstaple and Exeter.  At the turn of the millennium passenger numbers were 200,000 per annum.  The graph showed that passenger numbers doubled over the next 10-years to 400,000 in 2009/10, with moderate growth until the pandemic period, and then rapid annual growth to 850,00 in 2024/25. 
• To the nearest hundred, a record 917,400 journeys were undertaken on the line last year,8.3% up on 2024 and 37.5% up on the pre-pandemic in 2019, and before the opening of the New Dartmoor Line.  Passenger numbers on the Okehampton journey were now approaching 0.5 million.  Between these two lines 1.5 million passengers moved through Crediton.  The North Devon Line had the fastest growth on the GWR network.
• The downside was that increased demand was not being satisfied by capacity because there were insufficient seats at peak commuter travel times.  The Grand Western Railway (GWR) were responding with plans to introduce larger Class 175’s carriages later this year.
• However, this was a short-term measure to cope with the immediate lack of capacity issues, where passengers were being left behind and greater reliance needed to be built into the line.
• The report introduced to the Council the work of the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA), its goals, and the development of a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for modernising the North Devon (Tarka) Line between Exeter and Barnstaple.
• The report highlighted the development of the SOBC, including objectives such as increasing capacity, reducing journey times, enhancing green travel, improving reliability, and supporting economic growth. Publication of the SOBC was expected within the next month. ?
• The business case objective included the increased capacity and doubled hourly frequency to two trains per hour; reduced Exeter- Barnstaple journey times from 75 minutes down to 60 minutes; enhanced green travel and journey time competitiveness with roads; boosted line reliability, resilience and reduced disruption; supported economy, jobs, tourism, housing and unlocked development; improved active travel and connectivity corridors of the Taw Torridge Estuary, Okehampton, Exeter city region, Cullompton, Tiverton, Exmouth, Newton Abbott and beyond.

Discussion took place with regard to:

• Whether there had been any indication of when either project (the re signalling work or the extension of the passing) would be completed, noting that both would have required signalling renewal? It was explained that this would be outlined in the Strategic Outline Business Case.
• The financial cost of expanding the service should have been weighed against the carbon savings it delivered.  It was requested that future reports presented to Committee meetings include  both financial and carbon impacts.

RESOLVED that:

1. Mid Devon District Council supports the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA) by officially joining the Alliance to achieve delivery of a modernisation programme for the North Devon (Tarka) Line passenger rail services between Exeter and Barnstaple, to achieve the associated economic, social and environmental benefits for local communities and businesses.

2. A financial contribution of £1,000 to support the third annual convention of the NDRDA scheduled for March 2026 at a location in Mid Devon be APPROVED.

(Proposed by Cllr S Keable and Cllr J Downes)

Reason for decision:

The Council becoming a member of this Alliance (NDRDA), and for Cabinet to consider a financial contribution towards the cost of the next NDRDA Annual Convention to be held in Mid Devon.

Note: *Report previously circulated