REGIONAL investment has been promised in the National Infrastructure Plan announced on December 2, with £38 billion Network Rail delivery programme. Chapter 4 of the plan even mentions 'an alternative route via the north side of Dartmoor through Okehampton', and that is the last we hear of the line or the town in the plan.  The question has to be asked what proportion of the £38-billion will be invested on this line, if any? Waiting until 2019 for work to start on the railway is not satisfactory. Destination Okehampton — Town Council Working group has been working hard with our local MP, Mel Stride and Ministers to make the case for the railway to serve the area to the north and west of the town, out as far as the Cornish coast.  I genuinely believe Claire Perry MP (Under secretary of State) really appreciates the needs for rail investment to serve the community. And this is why this non announcement should be of concern.   Destination Okehampton  recently conducted an e-survey of businesses and their customers asking why the town and surrounding area needed a railway from Exeter, via Okehampton to Plymouth.  Five main themes emerged; inadequate existing road transport, difficulties in accessing education, skills and training, problems experienced in commuting for employment (in Exeter and Plymouth) time penalty incurred when undertaking business travel and a disincentive for inbound tourism.   This area is being starved of inward investment because of the time it takes to travel to and from the nearest mainline railway station, on average 90 minutes return journey to collect  clients visiting businesses.   One manager of a SME in Holsworthy has said:?'The easier access [to the rail network] could also increase revenue spend in the major towns due to increased accessibility to shopping, entertainment and leisure activities' (Tina Collins, Human Resources Manger). Doing nothing in the wake of this announcement is not an option!   We must attract investment in the line and as part of this Destination Okehampton,  with partner Councils, is proposing an independent study of the economic and social benefits of the 'Northern line'. Our rail advisor, Mr Chris Bligh, believes this line can be delivered significantly cheaper than current Network Rail figures, for about £300 million. Part of the railway line is in place and currently the only access to the mainline is between May and September on the 'Sunday Rover'. This service needs to be retained and expanded between 2015 and 2019 and not fall victim of cuts, to support bus services that are slow and unreliable. The Destinaton Okehampton working group will continue to undertake research and campaign through our council to Government for real action to establish this important railway to safeguard services to Plymouth and Cornwall and benefit the economy of West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall. Dr Michael Ireland Chair of Destination Okehampton