Plans for a 'modern train service' to Bideford could drive economic growth

Plans for a multi-million-pound rail extension to Bideford would provide a “modern train service” rather than a heritage attraction, according to a new report.

The Preliminary Strategic Business Case, authored by Peter West OBE, suggests that reconnecting the town to the national network could tackle “very weak socio-economic conditions” and transport “peripherality” in North Devon.

Passenger services to Bideford were withdrawn in 1965 following the Beeching cuts, leaving the town as one of the largest in the region without a rail link.

The report by Mr West emphasises that while “reopening” is the term often used, the proposal is a forward-looking infrastructure project designed to meet future housing and economic needs.

It notes that the scheme has already attracted “considerable local interest and enthusiasm,” but warns that the document is intended as a “sober assessment” where risks are not diluted.

The business case outlines several key justifications for the project:

• Economic growth: Local employers in sectors like defence and renewable energy report that “hard-to-recruit” specialists are deterred by poor transport links.
• Competitive travel: A direct journey from Bideford to Exeter St Davids would take approximately 81 minutes, making it competitive with car travel during peak-hour congestion.
• Housing targets: With mandatory government targets requiring over 1,300 new homes annually in the area, the report argues rail is essential for sustainable growth.

Mr West’s report points to the recent success of the Dartmoor Line to Okehampton as a blueprint.

That project saw usage forecasts exceeded in its first two years and currently operates at a small surplus, requiring no subsidy. The report suggests Bideford could see even higher demand, with an estimated 343,000 passengers per year, ranking it around 1,000th out of nearly 3,000 stations nationally.

However, the costs are significant. The report estimates the capital envelope for the project at between £305 million and £539 million.

A primary concern for many residents is the fate of the Tarka Trail, which occupies the former trackbed.

The business case identifies a “modified version of the original coastal alignment” as the preferred route. Crucially, it states that the “retention and improvement of the Tarka Trail” is a central objective, aiming to integrate the cycle path with the new rail infrastructure rather than replacing it.

The report concludes that the aspiration to return trains to Bideford is “sufficiently realistic” to justify further work.

While the current economic case shows a mid-range Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 0.23, the report notes that under specific future assumptions, including increased housing density, this could rise to a “high value” BCR of 2.0.

The document is intended to start the decision-making process, with the next step being the potential development of a full Strategic Outline Business Case.