THE success story of the Tamar Valley Line was heard by West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox and Stephen Hammond, Shadow Transport Minister, last Friday.
Mr Cox and Mr Hammond took a trip on the line, embarking on a return journey from Bere Ferrers Station to Gunnislake.
The MPs were escorted on their journey by Richard Burningham, manager of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, and Julian Crow, First Great Western's general manager for the west of England, who briefed them on the current performance of the rail partnership and the latest assessment of the viability of the proposed extension of the line to Tavistock.
Mr Cox said: 'I was pleased to learn that passenger numbers are up on 2007 by 5.5 per cent. I was also interested to hear the perspective of those who would run the trains to Tavistock if the extension went ahead. They painted a positive picture of its prospects.
'However, there are difficult decisions to take before it can move ahead, which are not helped by the fact that the local authority is under the compulsion of government housing targets.'
Mr Hammond said: 'Community Rail Partnerships are an essential part of creating a better public transport system in rural areas. We must do all we can to help them succeed and expand their reach.'