AN EXCITING project is in the pipeline to enhance visitor facilities at Meldon Viaduct and re-open two stations along the Dartmoor Railway line.

The £198,000 scheme to create information displays, picnic areas, toilet, changing and locker facilities at Meldon Visitors? Centre received a boost last week with a £10,000 contribution from West Devon Borough Council.

Work will begin imminently on the first phase of the project with exhibition areas due to be completed during 2003/04.

The proposed facilities will address the needs and opportunities of the increased numbers of visitors passing through Meldon and add a unique historical aspect by focusing on the industries and tramways on Dartmoor in a bid to attract more visitors by train, walking and cycling.

Dartmoor Railway is working in partnership with Devon County Council to see the project come to fruition, which includes the reopening of Sampford Courtenay station and, in the longer term, North Tawton station, along the 15-mile track.

Meldon Visitor centre is housed in Meldon Quarry?s old compressor house, adjacent to the viaduct with toilet and refreshment facilities provided in a railway car located nearby.

The main building was opened on a low cost basis in the summer of 1999 and while initially the visitors? centre was for passengers arriving on the Dartmoor Pony train service from Okehampton, the opening of the Granite Way cycleway between Okehampton and Lydford this year has dramatically increased the number of visitors.

Borough councillors were told last week the facility was ?very popular? with walkers and cyclists and the restricted capacity available in the buffet and toilets and restricted information in the visitors? centre was limiting the effectiveness of the amenity.

Comprehensive local information and historical displays, inside, outside and underground, will include extractive industries on Dartmoor, railways and tramways on the moor, industrial archaeology and information about the quarry and viaduct.

Indoor and outdoor seating will extend the refreshment area and picnic area, and vantage points will make full use of the spectacular views.

Dartmoor Railway has received tremendous support from Devon County Council in improving the facilities which will go towards regenerating the area and creating jobs.

Rail company spokesman John Love said the contribution from the borough council was also a great boost.

?Another good thing about this scheme is that we are getting something back from the tax we pay on aggregate from the Aggregates Levy Fund,? he said.

?Dartmoor Railway and Aggregate Industries are also providing in kind contributions, including buildings, aggregates, railway materials and equipment and exhibits. This is a super project which will really improve what we offer at Meldon for visitors.?