North Devon Line Rail Promotion Group

12/10/2026

As works continue to improve the forecourt at Barnstaple station and help to improve bus connectivity , we would welcome your views on other such bus connections we should be championing?

12/10/2026

Should we be considering the same for North Devon? We would to here your views

04/10/2026

Planning for the future of the North Devon Line

Yesterday, members and transport partners gathered at the Fox and Hounds in Eggesford for the North Devon Line Rail Promotion Group’s AGM.

In his opening remarks, our Chair highlighted the challenges facing the line, the need to plan for the future and our continuing role as the voice of local residents.

After the Treasurer’s report from Alam Clark, our President, Andrea Davis, led the election of officers. We were also pleased to welcome Georgina to the group.

Our speakers shared updates on developing the Devon Metro to include the North Devon Line, planning housing around key stations in Mid Devon, the potential benefits of a mayoral authority and the challenges caused by the Class 175 trains.

They also took questions from the floor on securing more services at Kings Nympton, the prospect of longer trains, line speed improvements, short-term wins and better bus connections with trains.

A big thank you to Bogdan Lupo from Network Rail, Cllr Steve Keeble from Mid Devon District Council, Sean Anstee from the Devon and Torbay Combined Authority, and Steve Lawrence from GWR for their contributions and for answering questions.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support the North Devon Line. We’ll keep working to make sure local communities have a strong voice in its future.

02/10/2026

UPDATE: North Devon Line

Network Rail and GWR have confirmed that the line reopened at 17:15. A full service is planned to resume with the 18:15 train from Exeter Central to Barnstaple.

There are no speed restrictions in place. Please check with GWR before travelling for the latest service information.

02/10/2026

🚨 NORTH DEVON LINE: PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL 🚨

There are no trains between Barnstaple and Eggesford. No trains are calling at Barnstaple, Chapelton, Umberleigh, Portsmouth Arms or Kings Nympton. A limited service is operating to and from Eggesford in the Exeter direction.

GWR is arranging taxis to Barnstaple throughout the day, but places will be very limited. Getting to Eggesford will also be difficult because of the road closure and limited parking.

Rail tickets are being accepted on all Stagecoach service 5 buses and service 369.

Please check GWR.com before travelling and only travel if your journey is absolutely necessary. If possible, consider travelling from Tiverton Parkway or Okehampton Interchange, or postponing your journey until tomorrow. Please keep checking for updates as the situation changes.

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02/10/2026

🚨 UPDATE: NORTH DEVON LINE DISRUPTION 🚨

Information is being updated as we speak. There are no trains between Barnstaple and Eggesford because of track damage, so no trains are calling at Barnstaple, Chapelton, Umberleigh, Portsmouth Arms or Kings Nympton.

Trains are running to and from Eggesford in the Exeter direction.

GWR is searching for replacement coaches, but very few alternative travel options are currently available. We’ll share further confirmed updates as soon as we hear more. Please check before travelling.

02/10/2026

🚆 Update: The North Devon Line is closed for the rest of today.

We now understand that damage caused during track works last night could not be repaired, leading to the closure.

The disruption had already left passengers at Barnstaple scrambling for the one available coach, while people at stations between Chapelton and Yeoford were left without a service. Students missed the chance to reach college, and passengers lost onward connections.

I’ll be asking GWR how this happened and what can be done to prevent a repeat. This is a vital line for our communities, and today’s events show why continued campaigning and close scrutiny matter.

Please check GWR’s latest travel updates before setting out.

02/10/2026

It appears the problem is more than first thought that a track defect is now caused the line to be closed until full inspection by Network Rail, not a good day for the North Devon Line

02/10/2026

🚆 A difficult start to the day on the North Devon Line.

An operational issue at Exeter meant the peak-time train from Barnstaple only ran from Crediton. At Barnstaple, passengers faced a scramble for the one replacement coach, while people at Chapelton and other stations through to Yeoford were left without a service.

Students were among those affected, with no way to reach college or make onward connections until the next train from Barnstaple at 08:35.

I’ll be asking GWR how this happened on such a vital peak-time service. This is why we need to keep campaigning and holding the railway to account. Passengers deserve a reliable service they can depend on.

30/09/2026

The Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance today welcomes West Devon Borough Council as its fourth district council member, joining Mid-Devon, Torridge and North Devon councils among c.50 other stakeholder organisations with a shared interest in the modernisation, and potential extension, of th...