DUE the success of the Royal Oke — a one-off train service from Okehampton to London — a government representative will visit the South West to further discuss the lack of rail infrastructure in the region.

The train was organised by OkeRail Forum and OkeRail CIC. Their efforts have resulted in MP Paul Maynard, the parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department for Transport, saying he would visit Okehampton to discuss rail issues after a ‘convincing case’ was put forward.

Following the arrival of 500 passengers in London Paddington, just 30 minutes behind schedule after being transferred to a different train at Exeter due to technical problems, the under secretary met with chairmans of OkeRail CIC and OkeRail Forum, Mike Davies and Michael Ireland, Central Devon MP Mel Stride, Devon County Councillor Kevin Ball and OkeRail technical advisor Chris Bligh.

‘The meeting in London went very well,’ said Mike Davies, chairman of OkeRail Forum.

‘We provided a detailed but succinct explanation of our lack of rail infrastructure in the South West and certainly in our Okehampton area and in North Cornwall. The train minister promised to come and see us in the South West and this is will be organised through Mel Stride and MP for North Cornwall Scott Mann.’

Michael Ireland, chair of OkeRail CIC, said: ‘I opened the conversation with Mr Maynard by stating the economic case — that a regular railway service would bring significant economic growth to an area which has a lot of housing and very few high-paying jobs.

‘I also explained that if you draw a line on the map from Bridgwater to Newquay, there are no national rail links north of the line. This affects many large areas including Okehampton, Bude, Launceston and Tavistock.

‘Mr Maynard said that we had made a convincing case and that he would be willing to come to the South West for a more detailed presentation, a look around the area, and a more lengthy discussion regarding rail links in West Devon and North Cornwall.’

Both chairmans wished to thank everyone who had helped organise the train and expressed gratitude to the ‘excellent service’ provided by Great Western Railway (GWR) — who supplied the train.

The Royal Oke was due to be the first direct train from Okehampton to London Paddington in 50 years. However, shortly after leaving Okehampton the 500 passengers were transferred to a different train at Exeter due to technical problem with the train’s wheels.

MP Mel Stride described the accident as a ‘little blip on a very long road’.

County Cllr Kevin Ball explained that the changing of trains was handled efficiently and only added a 35 minute delay to the journey. He said that the response from passengers was overwhelmingly positive.

Okehampton Mayor Cllr Jan Goffey said: ‘The GWR staff were amazing. They handled the little mishap, as it appeared to the passengers, with the minimum of fuss and the fact that an alternate train was at Exeter St Davids to take us onward, within such a short time, was a tribute to all GWR staff from the top down.

‘I was even more impressed when I discovered most of the on-train staff were unpaid, doing what they do for the pure love of an unusual journey.

‘So many people commented that the staff were so cheerful and helpful they made the journey even more memorable, we have been asked when the next one will run.

‘It just goes to show that a regular service would be supported as there were a coach-full from Bude and people from Hatherleigh, Tavistock and multiple places. The catchment area is huge!’