THE potential re-opening of the rail link between Exeter and Plymouth via Okehampton and Tavistock was highlighted by Chancellor George Osborne in a six-point plan for long term economic regeneration for the South West during a visit this week.

The Chancellor, who was in Plymouth on a pre-general election tour of the region, spoke of his six point plan. He said he would develop a comprehensive rail strategy by setting up a South West Peninsula Rail Task Force, which would look at the potential for re-opening the rail route via Okehampton and Tavistock along with other options.

During his keynote speech in Plymouth, Mr Osborne was asked whether the Dartmoor and 'Dawlish avoiding line' could both be financed, to which he responded that he wouldn't have mentioned the line — the Plymouth to Exeter line via Okehampton and Tavistock — if he hadn't thought there was a very strong case for it.

Richard Searight, part of the Peninsula Rail Group, which has been heavily campaigning for the reinstatement of the line through Tavistock and Okehampton, said words were good but it was cash that was really needed.

He said: 'The chair of the Peninsula Rail Task Force hit the nail on the head when he said there were good intentions — that's all well and good but what we are really going to need is cash.

'We have been appallingly under-invested in the South West over the years. We have got to have our transport links back.'