IT IS ironic that the 2021 reopening of the Exeter-Okehampton Dartmoor Line has resulted in worse transport links for Greater Bude/Stratton/Holsworthy. All that positivity about reopening (and high passenger usage) is not mirrored by council commitment to get people to the line. This fantastic opportunity (government opened only four lines this decade) to really improve people’s access and opportunities - in an area known to need this - ignored.

The case for line reopening always hinged on Okehampton and its large hinterland: Bude/Holsworthy at its heart - the largest, most populous corridor serving the line. The area was called ‘The Rail Desert’ for good reason – the largest area nationally remote from the rail network. But Cornwall and Devon county councils have allowed bus service 6 to degrade even since 2021, from two to three-hourly – the former direct Exeter bus now terminating at Okehampton station. For many relying on public transport, line reopening made little difference: for them the Rail Desert continues unimproved.

And many car owning households rely on buses e.g. for college students, due to distance, Exeter College often favoured. Yet poor Okehampton station connections risk missed sessions, safety (being stranded/inappropriate lifts home), and barriers to travel - undermining vital public transport benefits of enabling youth (and others’) opportunities to learning, work, leisure (and the NHS).

Bude/Stratton, the largest Cornish town away from the rail network, is the only one without hourly buses to a railhead (even enjoyed by West Penwith and Lizard peninsulas); ditto Holsworthy in Devon. So this is an equality issue. Is this due to cross-border issues; or the only part of the county mainly looking across the border to Devon for connectivity; or being served by the only bus contract outside Cornwall’s single countywide ‘Transport for Cornwall’ contract? Regardless, there is no valid reason for councils to continue to preside over such inequality across large areas of both counties.

Connect Bude and OkeRail have lobbied both councils for improving bus 6 frequency, service quality and train connections. Funding is key, but opportunities exist. As this is about righting a wrong, hiding behind council budget pressure is no defence for such blatant inequality: it’s time for both councils to work together on the real opportunities arising from the reopened Dartmoor Line. ‘Okehampton Interchange’ station opening next year risks being laden with empty rhetoric if this key bus service continues to fail to serve community needs. ‘Interchange’ with what?

Perhaps for too long the community has assumed the status quo is a given. But with data on how this area alone is disadvantaged by council policies, compared to the rest of both counties, this surely is now a key issue for the local elections – and new council administrations. Pressing candidates - future councillors - on this now will help immeasurably.

By Bruce Thompson. After retiring as head of Devon County Council’s transport service he’s advised OkeRail on reopening the Dartmoor Line, and Connect Bude on maximising its benefit.