Transport Minister marks start of work on Newcourt railway station
Minister Baroness Kramer visited the Newcourt railway station site in Exeter on Friday 5 September as work prepares to get underway.
Minister Baroness Kramer visited the Newcourt railway station site in Exeter on Friday 5 September as work prepares to get underway.
The Minister cut a turf to mark the start of construction on the £1.5 million scheme.
The Devon County Council project is being part funded with £741,000 from the Department for Transport’s New Station Fund. It is one of only five stations awarded funding nationally, following a successful bid by the County Council. The other half of the scheme costs will be met by developer contributions.
Devon County Council is working closely with First Great Western and Network Rail on the scheme which will develop a new platform and shelter. The station, which will be served by a half-hourly local service on the Exmouth branch line, will have a ticket machine, passenger information system, secure cycle parking, disabled parking spaces and CCTV.
Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “A modern railway station with excellent customer facilities can speak volumes about a local community. Newcourt station will help transform the experience of passengers every day and provide a boost to the local economy.
“We have big ambitions for our railways, which is why we have embarked on the biggest programme of modernisation since the Victorian era, with more than £38 billion being spent over the next five years to provide better journeys for millions of passengers. Newcourt station is an important part of that programme.”
Dan Okey, First Great Western Regional Development Manager, West, said: "The Avocet Line, running between Exeter and Exmouth, has grown by 63% since 2006 and now serves 1.6 million customers a year - showing the value of local rail services in the South West, and how productive partnerships can really deliver results that benefit local people and the local economy. The building of this new station, here at Newcourt, is testament to the popularity of this community rail line and we look forward to running a full timetable as soon as construction is completed."
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “The development of Newcourt Rail Station is a key element of the County Council strategy to develop sustainable transport links across the city. It will be extremely beneficial for the residents in the 3,500 homes allocated for this area and will help reduce local traffic. The New Station Funding has helped make this scheme possible and we’re delighted to have the Minister’s support in starting work on site. Newcourt Station is part of the County Council’s Devon Metro initiative which is improving the county's rail network and local rail services, to encourage more people to travel by rail.”
Exeter based contractor Dyer and Butler will carry out the work, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. No train services will be disrupted by the construction work.
A footpath between the station and Old Rydon Lane has already been improved which will provide a direct route to Sandy Park rugby stadium.
The Minister cut a turf to mark the start of construction on the £1.5 million scheme.
The Devon County Council project is being part funded with £741,000 from the Department for Transport’s New Station Fund. It is one of only five stations awarded funding nationally, following a successful bid by the County Council. The other half of the scheme costs will be met by developer contributions.
Devon County Council is working closely with First Great Western and Network Rail on the scheme which will develop a new platform and shelter. The station, which will be served by a half-hourly local service on the Exmouth branch line, will have a ticket machine, passenger information system, secure cycle parking, disabled parking spaces and CCTV.
Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “A modern railway station with excellent customer facilities can speak volumes about a local community. Newcourt station will help transform the experience of passengers every day and provide a boost to the local economy.
“We have big ambitions for our railways, which is why we have embarked on the biggest programme of modernisation since the Victorian era, with more than £38 billion being spent over the next five years to provide better journeys for millions of passengers. Newcourt station is an important part of that programme.”
Dan Okey, First Great Western Regional Development Manager, West, said: "The Avocet Line, running between Exeter and Exmouth, has grown by 63% since 2006 and now serves 1.6 million customers a year - showing the value of local rail services in the South West, and how productive partnerships can really deliver results that benefit local people and the local economy. The building of this new station, here at Newcourt, is testament to the popularity of this community rail line and we look forward to running a full timetable as soon as construction is completed."
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “The development of Newcourt Rail Station is a key element of the County Council strategy to develop sustainable transport links across the city. It will be extremely beneficial for the residents in the 3,500 homes allocated for this area and will help reduce local traffic. The New Station Funding has helped make this scheme possible and we’re delighted to have the Minister’s support in starting work on site. Newcourt Station is part of the County Council’s Devon Metro initiative which is improving the county's rail network and local rail services, to encourage more people to travel by rail.”
Exeter based contractor Dyer and Butler will carry out the work, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. No train services will be disrupted by the construction work.
A footpath between the station and Old Rydon Lane has already been improved which will provide a direct route to Sandy Park rugby stadium.