North Devon Calls for Tarka Line Upgrade
North Devon’s Liberal Democrat MP, Ian Roome, has formally presented a petition to Parliament calling for action and investment to future-proof the Tarka Line and improve reliability for passengers across the area who rely on the service.
The petition follows months of disruption on the line, including repeated flooding and cancellations that have left commuters, students, families struggling to rely on the rail link between Barnstaple, Exeter and beyond.
Mr Roome says the scale of support demonstrates the strength of local feeling and the need for a clear plan and investment to make the line more resilient to extreme weather and growing demand.
The MP is urging residents who have been affected by disruption to continue sharing their experiences to strengthen the case for investment and ensure North Devon’s rail link is treated as a priority.
North Devon’s Liberal Democrat MP, Ian Roome, said:
“I was proud to hand in North Devon’s Tarka Line petition to Parliament, backed by more than 3,000 people who are fed up with disruption and want lasting action. Demand for the service has continually grown, and it’s one of the busiest branch lines anywhere in the South West - it’s a lifeline for commuters getting to work, students travelling to college, people attending appointments.
“After the chaos we’ve faced this winter, it’s obvious we cannot keep lurching from one incident to the next. We need a service we can rely on, and that means a serious commitment to resilience.
“I’ll be meeting with Network Rail to press for a clear plan for the Tarka Line, with proper investment to strengthen the route against flooding and extreme weather and ensure North Devon isn’t left behind.”
Cllr Peter Leaver, Deputy Leader of North Devon Council (Liberal Democrat) said:
“North Devon Council recognises just how vital the Tarka Line is for our tourism economy, for students, for commuters, and for the many local businesses that rely on reliable connections to Exeter and beyond.
“We’re working closely with operators and partners to improve reliability, but it’s increasingly clear that major investment is needed to keep up with demand and make the line more resilient, especially in the face of extreme weather and climate change.
“That’s why this petition really matters, and we hope it builds on the case we’ve been making for investment.”
