AN independent professional report analysing how the return of the rail line from Plymouth to Exeter through Tavistock could benefit the entire region is to be commissioned, it was decided this week. Council representatives from Tavistock, Okehampton Hamlets, Sampford Courtenay, North Tawton, Bow, Stowford, Bideford, Launceston and Buckland Monachorum joined councillors at a meeting of Okehampton Town Council's working group Destination Okehampton on Monday night, to discuss a strategy to help boost the chances of ensuring a rail service returns to Tavistock and Okehampton. At the meeting, it was decided that Okehampton Town Council would lead the way on commissioning an independent report carried out by a professional rail consultant to prove the benefits of having the line reinstated. Okehampton Town Council will provide a contribution to fund the report, and other councils in the region — including Tavistock — will be approached for financial support to get the report process started. Any hired consultant would then carry out the majority of fundraising for the report themselves. The decision is expected to be ratified by Okehampton Town Council in the next two weeks. It is hoped that having councils, organisations and representatives from across the region advocating the return of the line will add weight to the argument that the return of the line could bring huge economic benefits to West Devon, North Devon, Torridge and parts of Cornwall. Cllr Harry Smith, mayor of Tavistock, said that while he could not speak officially on behalf of Tavistock Town Council, the return of the railway was an important issue that members had been discussing, and they would provide their formal view on the railway in July. Devon county councillor for Tavistock Debo Sellis said: 'I feel it is important we are looking at this issue. 'As councillors, we are here to represent people both now, and the future generations. 'Those future generations will thank us, I am sure, for forging on with this issue. 'It is the right time to be thinking about it, what with the events in Dawlish. 'It is good so many people are working together, and with that togetherness I am sure we will steam along with this.' The severe damage to the Dawlish line during storms earlier this year has highlighted the need to make the South West's travel links more resilient, and offer alternatives to ensure that large parts of the region are not left cut off because of adverse weather. The aim of Monday's meeting was to formulate a united response to Network Rail's West of Exeter Route Resilience Study, currently being carried out by more than a dozen national and regional organisations. The study group will steer the strategic review on the viability of three long-term options — retaining the coastal route at Dawlish, building a second line as an alternative to the Dawlish line, and re-routing the main line completely, abandoning the coastal line. County councillor for Okehampton Rural Division Kevin Ball is fully behind the reinstatement of the line. He said: 'This issue is critical, and could bring huge economic regeneration along the potential line. 'You only have to look back, historically the building of a rail line is synonymous with economic regeneration and growth. 'When you hear haulage companies are struggling to use the road network with rising fuel costs and other issues, it gives them a new option. 'We must remember the issue of resilience is not just about the storms in February. 'The line can be blocked on any number of occasions in the year. This would offer resilience as a complementary line, not in competition to the southern line. 'I understand that those living in South Devon get defensive, but with continual communication with them, and if we can get key people onside and show we do not want to be in competition but as a complementary line, that will help our cause.' What do you think of the potential return of the railway to Tavistock? Share your thoughts with us at timesletters @tindlenews.co.uk • Commuters are being asked to take part in a consultation regarding rail services across the region. See story page 13.