The Avocet Line is a very important resource for the Exeter – Exmouth corridor, providing high quality and reliable travel in this busy and developing area.
Looking to the future it’s clear that the line will become yet more significant as it crosses the part of Exeter where major housing and business development is already occurring and where more is planned. So new stations and more capacity on trains will be needed in the next 10 years.
In terms of looking to the future, the ALRUG Committee has identified two key campaigning priorities for the next twelve months – the re-letting of the Great Western franchise and Devon Metro.
Great Western Franchise
The Avocet Line is currently operated under franchise by First Great Western. This franchise, which covers services between London and the West Country, South Wales and the Cotswolds, including all services in Devon and Cornwall, will end in April 2013. The Department for Transport (DfT) is expected shortly to consult on the proposed content of the new franchise.
The network operated under this franchise covers a large geographical area and, during the period of the next franchise, a significant amount of it is due to be electrified. It is therefore important to ensure that the needs of the Avocet Line are not overlooked when the terms of the franchise are being drawn up.
A sub-group of the ALRUG Committee is currently preparing a document to submit to the Department for Transport setting out what we believe to be the minimum requirements for the Exeter to Exmouth line. A copy of our submission will be available in the Members Area in due course.
Devon Metro
The Avocet Line also forms part of a vision for a ‘Devon Metro’ service linking Exeter with Axminster, Exmouth, Paignton and Barnstaple. Representatives of ALRUG have attended a number of meetings with Devon County Council and other interested parties. Further information can be found in the Devon Metro Appraisal report produced by Devon County Council.
ALRUG has published a Manifesto concisely identifying the elements of development it sees as essential for the line.
