Housing demand boosts rail hope

Bere Alston: The end of the line for trains since 1968

The need for more housing in a Devon town could help reopen a railway line which closed 40 years ago.

The Drake line from Plymouth to Tavistock was closed off at Bere Alston in 1968, but now it could be reinstated without using taxpayers' money.

Tavistock is expected to accommodate 750 new homes, and a national rail organisation believes developers could be willing to pay for the railway.

An engineering survey last year found the track and all structures sound.

Supporters have said reopening the 5.5 mile (9km) truncated section would provide the town with a valuable link to Plymouth and beyond.

Reduced congestion

The estimated cost of reinstatement would be about £10m, but the Department for Transport said that that would have to be paid for by a levy on new housing to the west of the town.

The infrastructure group, Kilbride Community Rail, said Tavistock provided an ideal opportunity to have new homes and a rail service.

Last year a survey found the rail bed and structures were sound

"This is an excellent project and that's why we're willing to invest the time and money to develop the scheme in conjunction with the local community," spokesman Peter Frost told BBC News.

"The rail service that, hopefully, will be provided at the end is something the local community wants."

Local councillors would also like to see the railway line reinstated, saying it could significantly reduce traffic congestion between Tavistock and Plymouth.