On 15th March our Rail team working within the Wales and Western Framework for Network officially completed the first major milestone for the new Okehampton Interchange om Devon.
Our team worked around the clock within a seven-day full line closure, working in total over 5,500 hours to carry out essential track and drainage activity—all completed on time and safely for our customers, allowing the railway to reopen to passengers on time.
The works included:
✔Shifted 290 metres of single-line track 90cm north to align with the new platform.
✔Cut and removed 16 track panels, excavated ballast and adjusted the track bed prior to installation of track panels.
✔Laid and compacted 1,000 tonnes of ballast.
✔Installed seven new chambers beneath the track and laid 300 tonnes of stone to improve drainage.
✔Installed seven catch pits.
Located just two minutes from the A30, Okehampton Interchange will complement the existing Okehampton Station and will serve the growing east side of the town. This project supports the revitalisation of the Dartmoor line, which reopened in 2021. Work is now underway to build the new platform 200-space car park and the next key milestone being the installation of a footbridge and lift this summer. The new station is set to open in summer 2026.
A huge well done and thank you to everyone involved. You can read more about this important project on the Network Rail website.
