A STRATEGY to try and bring a regular passenger rail service back to Okehampton is being set into motion by town councillors.

Destination Okehampton, a town council working group set up to make the town a more enticing and exciting destination for local people and tourists alike, last Thursday held a special meeting to discuss the status of the railway, and what town councillors can do to aid the future development of passenger services to Okehampton.

The meeting was led by Cllr Dr Michael Ireland, who has been particularly keen to see the railway return to Okehampton 'during my lifetime'.

Cllr Ireland said: 'To get a rail service serving Okehampton again, we need to think wider than Okehampton, and think of the rail corridor that was served by the former line through our town.

'If the line is ever to be re-established, which I hope it will be during my lifetime, we need to get the feeder communities who would also benefit from the re-opening of the line involved.

'We need to work with the most enthusiastic and vociferous of these communities, like Bude and others, who would want to see this line re-opened too.

'The Atlantic Coast Express line through Okehampton served Bude, Plymouth and lots of places in the area.

'The importance of our railway to the wider community, when you look at other towns and the link it creates to the rest of the country, is huge.

'The only way to get investment from authorities and the rail industry is if we can show that tourism and the economy will benefit. This community is suffering, and enough is enough.'

Councillors acknowledged that the journey to bringing daily passenger services will be a long one, due to complications over the ownership of the railway franchise, and the need to convince a rail company like First Great Western or British American Rail Services that a passenger service through Okehampton is viable and profitable.

Yet councillors were buoyed by the potential for a commuter service through the town.

At the meeting, the working group suggested undertaking a survey to identify community demand and desires for a passenger service. A passenger survey by the Dartmoor Railway Supporters' Association and a feasibility survey commissioned by British American Rail Services in 2011 both indicate a need and desire for services through Okehampton and beyond.

The group also suggested contacting other interested councils like Bude and Halwill, which would benefit from the re-instatement of the line.

It was felt councils lobbying together would have more power than just one council alone.

Cllr Terry Cummings saw the potential boost in tourism the line could provide, not just for Okehampton but for the wider area.

He also saw an upside for people living in Okehampton looking for employment.

He said: 'When you look at Bude, and coast regions and the link-up to the rail system, I know a lot of people who have been prevented from going on holiday here and in north Devon and along the north Devon coast due to the poor transport links.

'I know people who go on holiday to south Devon due to the better train and transport links in general.

'It means the area is missing out on lots of tourists it could otherwise attract.

'The cost of transport and the travel time is stopping many people in Okehampton getting jobs in Exeter.

'A rail link would improve employability and the chances for companies setting up in Okehampton to succeed.'

The group also plans to contact British American Rail Services about their possible involvement in getting a passenger service started, and contacting MPs in the area to get their support.

The ideas will go before full council on May 7 for approval.