Plympton wants a railway station

Next stop Plympton? (image courtesy: GWR)

They claim they’ve been “left out in the cold”

A fast-growing Devon town which has been ‘left out in the cold’ for decades is pushing to be reconnected to the national railway network.

Councillors in Plympton say a new railway station could be the key to prosperity and revive the town’s fortunes.

But this week, while stressing their support for better transport connections. Plymouth City Council rejected a Green Party idea to create a group pushing for a Plympton station, because another organisation is already doing the work.

Cllr Ian Poyser (Green, Plympton Chaddlewood) proposed the new forum. He explained that when a station for the town closed in 1959, its population was 8,400. Now it stands at 29,000.

A new station on the main line would support economic growth and help get cars off the road. It would not be unprecedented. New stations in Devon are being built at Marsh Barton on the outskirts of Exeter and Edginswell, at the ‘gateway’ into Torbay.

The Greens want a station to serve Plympton, Sherford, the commercial area of Langage and the new Plymouth Free Port site.

“A railway station is a symbol of progress to a more hopeful future,” said Cllr Poyser. “It would bring social benefits and stimulate economic development.

“A railway station enables friends and families to reunite more easily, and also encourages visitors.

“It’s not just a dream. It’s an achievable goal which can bring numerous benefits. Let’s not kick this into the long grass again.”

Cllr Lauren McLay (Green, Plympton Chaddlewood) added: “We have an opportunity here to build something quite remarkable. We can lay the tracks for a greener, more inclusive Plymouth for generations to come.”

Cllr Natalie Harrison (Con, Plympton St Mary) supported the proposal and said: “For far too long we in Plympton have been left out in the cold. The west of our city has numerous smaller train stations – why has the east been left out?”

But council leader Tudor Evans (Lab, Ham) said setting up the group would waste money, because the Strategic Rail Partnership was already doing the work.

Its proposals include an electric ‘Devon Metro’ transport system which would include Plymouth.

“What you are proposing here is heavier use of diesel trains, which is not particularly carbon-friendly,” he said. “Let’s not spend any more money or any more time duplicating what is already going on.”