RAIL chiefs say members of the public are already busy buying their ticket to ride on West Devon’s soon to be reopened link with Exeter.

Regular train services are set to return to Okehampton on November 20, after the long-awaited official announcement that it was going to happen last week.

The service will be operated by GWR, who made it clear they were encouraged by the level of interest being shown in the rail link, opened thanks to £40 million from the Government as part of a UK-wide project to restore local community railways closed by a series of cuts during the 1960s and 70s.

A GWR spokesman said: ‘Ticket sales are positive, and we expect services on the first few days to be in demand, especially on the first day.’

The official reopening of the section of the main line across Dartmoor also brought praise from leading councillors.

Cllr Neil Jory, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said the reopening was a good result for partnership working and said: ‘In this case by working effectively with Devon County Council, Network Rail, the Government and the local community - who have campaigned for this line to be reinstated for years - we are supporting our business community and enabling residents and tourists to access one of our important market towns. Our next step is to secure funding for a new station at the eastern end of town and to push this ambition forward we will continue to work in partnership.’

Cllr Julie Yelland, ward member Okehampton South and a member of the OkeRail group, added: ‘The rail line between Okehampton and Exeter will provide more options for those people who need to travel further afield, help to keep cars off the road and improve local air quality. Thanks to everyone who has been involved in lobbying for this line to be reinstated and worked so hard to make this happen, and ahead of schedule too.’