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Local Enterprise Partnership welcome station funding announcement
The Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has welcomed the announcement made by Transport Secretary of State, Patrick McLoughlin, that Government funding has been approved for a new rail station in Devon.
Government's backing for the £1.44 million Newcourt Station, which will be situated just outside Exeter, was revealed (15 May 2013) by the Minister when he visited the region.
The Department for Transport will pay for around half of the scheme, with the balance funded locally. The new stations programme is part of Government's initiative to modernise the railways over the period to 2019, both to benefit passengers and support growth of the UK economy.
Newcourt station will be located on the Exeter to Exmouth line, which has already seen massive passenger growth over the last decade - from 800,000 passengers in 2002 to 1.2 million in 2012. The station will serve new housing and employment areas, offering to opportunity of sustainable travel for residents and employees.
Liz Waugh, interim Chief Executive for the Heart of the South West LEP said: "We'd like to thank the Minister for the welcome news that Newcourt Station is to go ahead: we've been lobbying hard to get funding for Newcourt Station and for other key rail sites in the area.
"Improving our infrastructure is fundamental to driving economic growth and this announcement is a key milestone towards this aim."
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: "Receiving this New Station Funding is excellent news for our plans to improve the local rail network in the county and to improve the frequency of services. Having met the Transport Secretary I was encouraged to receive Government support for our Devon Metro initiative.
"There will be around 3,500 new homes in the Newcourt area so transport links will be vital in this part of the city in order to reduce traffic on the roads. I'm sure residents will appreciate having such direct access to rail services when the station is up and running.
"The new stations planned for Newcourt and Marsh Barton are a key element of the Devon Metro initiative and will be a boost for the local economy by providing access to significant areas of housing and employment."
The Department for Transport will pay for around half of the scheme, with the balance funded locally. The new stations programme is part of Government's initiative to modernise the railways over the period to 2019, both to benefit passengers and support growth of the UK economy.
Newcourt station will be located on the Exeter to Exmouth line, which has already seen massive passenger growth over the last decade - from 800,000 passengers in 2002 to 1.2 million in 2012. The station will serve new housing and employment areas, offering to opportunity of sustainable travel for residents and employees.
Liz Waugh, interim Chief Executive for the Heart of the South West LEP said: "We'd like to thank the Minister for the welcome news that Newcourt Station is to go ahead: we've been lobbying hard to get funding for Newcourt Station and for other key rail sites in the area.
"Improving our infrastructure is fundamental to driving economic growth and this announcement is a key milestone towards this aim."
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: "Receiving this New Station Funding is excellent news for our plans to improve the local rail network in the county and to improve the frequency of services. Having met the Transport Secretary I was encouraged to receive Government support for our Devon Metro initiative.
"There will be around 3,500 new homes in the Newcourt area so transport links will be vital in this part of the city in order to reduce traffic on the roads. I'm sure residents will appreciate having such direct access to rail services when the station is up and running.
"The new stations planned for Newcourt and Marsh Barton are a key element of the Devon Metro initiative and will be a boost for the local economy by providing access to significant areas of housing and employment."
