GWR grant for ACE Rail Bideford bid

A PROJECT to develop the initial business case for an extension and upgrade of the Tarka Line in Devon has received a £6500 grant from Great Western Railway.

The Tarka Rail Association successfully applied for a grant from the train operator’s Community Fund, which was launched in May to support local communities and address areas of social need.

The Atlantic Coast-Exeter Railway project, ACE Rail, aims to give Bideford a boost by extending the Tarka Line from Barnstaple to the growing town’s 30,000 people, and improving the existing line to add a second, limitedstop, hourly service to link Bideford with Exeter Central in 60 minutes.