Marsh Barton station celebrates its 1st birthday

Festivities were in full swing on Monday 8 July, following the first anniversary of the opening of the station. In that time more than 90,000 passenger journeys have been made, benefitting local residents and businesses in the area. 

Representatives from Devon County Council; Great Western Railway, Network Rail and local dignitaries met at the station for the special celebration and cut the birthday cake.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said:

“Devon County Council are thrilled with the success of Marsh Barton station. The user numbers demonstrate that more people are taking advantage of the Devon Metro network to make journeys into the city for work and appointments.

“With the pressure on the city’s road network, reducing congestion and improving air quality are key aims for the Council, more people choosing to use public transport is great news for residents and visitors to the city.” 

The £16 million project was delivered by Devon County Council in collaboration with Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) and built by construction and civil engineering specialist firm GRAHAM.

GWR Head of Strategic Development Matthew Barnes said: 

“New stations such as Marsh Barton are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we all become more mindful to live and travel more sustainably.  

“Marsh Barton is a real success story and the passenger numbers clearly show how important good transport links are for the local economy, to local people, businesses and the wider community.” 

First passenger services began at Marsh Barton on Tuesday 4 July, when it became Exeter’s ninth railway station.

The station is served by hourly Great Western Railway services between Paignton and Exmouth, with more at peak times and improves travel links between Alphington, Marsh Barton, and the Riverside Valley Park.

Chris Fuoco, Network Rail Devon and Cornwall director, said:

“Building another new station for the south west was a fantastic achievement by everyone involved.

“We’ve brought even more people onto the railway and shown the value of rail to the local economy.”

The station features two fully accessible platforms equipped with:

• Ticket machines
• Smart ticket readers
• Live train departure screens
• Waiting shelters
• Help points

The two platforms are linked by a pedestrian overbridge which has ramps to facilitate cyclists and provide disabled access to the whole station.

Marsh Barton was the second of three new Great Western Railway (GWR) stations opened last year along with Reading Green Park (opened in May) and Portway Park & Ride (opened in).

Two more stations, at Cullompton and Wellington, are due to be opened as part of the Government’s ‘Restoring your Railways’ initiative and will see the two largest settlements on the line between Exeter and Taunton reconnected to the railway after both stations closed in 1964.