MP criticises government for overlooking Tavistock rail link

The MP for Torridge and Tavistock has criticised the government for failing to provide new funding for the Tavistock to Plymouth railway line in this year’s Spending Review.

Sir Geoffrey Cox KC said he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision and condemned Labour ministers for refusing to meet with him in recent weeks to discuss the future of the project.

Sir Geoffrey told The Moorlander that over the past year he had made repeated requests to the government for information on the Tavistock to Plymouth rail project and had sought meetings with ministers in the Department for Transport.

He said he was denied a meeting with The Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State for Rail, to discuss the extension to Tavistock.

While the Spending Review unveiled major investment in transport infrastructure across the North, Midlands and Wales, the South West received no new commitments, with Devon not mentioned at all.

Sir Geoffrey said: “Before the election, both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor assured rural communities throughout the South West that sustained investment in transport infrastructure would remain a central priority of the government.

“Today’s Spending Review, however, will be a bitter blow to residents in Torridge and Tavistock, who trusted that the government would follow through with this critical project and its countless benefits, including boosting the local economy and relieving pressure on the current road network.”

The Conservative MP has said he has long campaigned for improved rail links in the region and worked with the previous government on the successful reopening of the Okehampton to Exeter line.

He said he had made “strong representations” to ministers since the election in a bid to secure support for the Tavistock to Plymouth extension.

He added: “Ahead of the Spending Review, I sought an urgent meeting with the rail minister to discuss whether the government would commit just 1 per cent of the required funding to complete the business case.

“It was deeply disappointing to receive an outright refusal, reinforcing the view of many that this government holds rural communities in astonishing disregard.”

Sir Geoffrey also cited other recent issues facing the region, including what he described as the “cruel Family Farm Death Tax”, delays to the redevelopment of North Devon District Hospital, and further cuts to the DEFRA budget – which he said had been reduced by another 0.3 oer cent.

He said: “Communities in the South West will watch as the government channels vast amounts of infrastructure funding into urban areas throughout the North, the Midlands, and Wales, regions overwhelmingly represented by the government’s own MPs.

“I would urge the government to rethink this harmful decision and ensure that rural communities receive the investment and support they deserve, across all government departments.”