A FREIGHT terminal in Okehampton, which would put the town firmly on the business map, could be up and running within a year, Dartmoor Railway confirmed this week.

Attempts to secure funding are currently being made but managing director of Dartmoor Railway John Hummel said he believed the money would be forthcoming soon for the facility next to Exeter Road Industrial Estate.

'We are not talking millions here because the terminal will not be enormous like the one planned for Exeter,' he said.

'Nevertheless, we hope to have a couple of sidings which will be very useful for the area, not just for Okehampton but right down to Tavistock, Torrington and Bideford.'

Mr Hummel said Central Government and European funding sources were being looked into:

'Government is altering its rules on freight facilities grants so money may be easier to access,' he said. 'What we have to do is convince them that Okehampton is a very good location.

'Exeter and Plymouth are always seen as the main sites.

'West Devon and North Cornwall seem to be forgotten because they do not have a large population.'

He said there were very few freight links in the West Country and the one in Okehampton would be the first purpose-built one for a very long time.

'There is no doubt that this facility would help the businesses that are already here, it gives them another option for transport. Supermarkets especially are using rail now.

'A freight link would make the area much more competitive and being next to the Exeter Road Industrial Estate it could well attract more firms to move into Okehampton.'

The project would also help to guarantee the survival of the railway line to Okehampton and take traffic off the roads.

'We hope within a year it could be up and running,' added Mr Hummel.

County councillor for Okehampton Colleen Herriman said the project would result in the town becoming a key business area.

'Okehampton has been designated a growth town for 30 years, now that is beginning to happen a freight head would secure its future importance,' she said.

'It will bring prosperity to the town and have a very positive effect.'

Both West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council are both involved in the project and Cllr Herriman said it was good example of the private sector and local authorities working together.

Mayor of Okehampton Christine Marsh said she was full of admiration for what Dartmoor Railway was doing.

'A freight terminal would be another feather in Okehampton's cap,' she said. 'It is very, very important for the town that we get this. We are geographically in the centre of Devon and next to the A30 ready to service the north, south, east and west of Devon.'