Prospects for new Torquay rail station at Edginswell

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Devon Live:

Minister 'positive' about prospects for new Torquay rail station

The prospects for the stalled Edginswell railway station on the edge of Torquay has been raised with the Rail Minister.

Torbay MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Kevin Foster has met with the minister, Paul Maynard, for a detailed discussion about the £13m project to build a station serving Torbay Hospital, Edginswell Business Park and the Willows retail park.

Earlier the minister said he would meet with the MP to learn more about the site proposed in woodland between Newton Road and Riviera Way.


The Edginswell Station site in Newton Road looking north (Image: Andy Styles)

Mr Foster said: “Edginswell failed to secure funding from a new stations fund announced earlier this year, yet was given very positive feedback with a view to further development ready for any future funding opportunities.  My discussion with the Minister focused on the costs of track work needed as part of the scheme, the position with planning permission being granted and other aspects of the work done so far to ensure this project is shovel ready.”


The site of the Edginswell Railway Station (Image: Google Mapws)

He said: “The discussion was positive and we both remarked on the benefits the scheme could bring to nearby developments including the Edginswell Business Park. There is some further work to be done on the project, but it was clear from my conversation this scheme has real potential if commitment is maintained to it locally.”

Torbay Council has already spent more than £500,000 on the station project, and though it is still committed to the scheme, now wants to see further funding coming from other sources.