Marsh Barton becomes the UK’S newest railway station
JUST OVER a month after Great Western Railway opened Reading Green Park station, the operator opened Marsh Barton in Exeter on July 4. Situated on Riverside Valley Park, Exeter’s largest trading estate, the unstaffed two-platform station cost £16 million to build and has been delivered by devon county council in collaboration with Network Rail andGWR. It will be served by hourly GWR services between Paignton and Exmouth, with additional services during morning and afternoon peak times, providing improved links between Alphington, Marsh Barton and the Riverside Valley Park. Two accessible step-free platforms, linked by a pedestrian overbridge, feature ticket vending machines, smart ticket readers, waiting shelters, live departure screens and help points.
The station was officially opened on July 3 by Transport Secretary Mark Harper and local resident Ben Roberts-mitchell at a ceremony attended by those involved in its planning and construction.
GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: “New stations such as this are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we become mindful of the need to live and travel more sustainably.
“Marsh Barton will help ease congestion on some of Exeter’s busiest roads and offer a more environmentally friendly option for those who normally drive into the area.
“It is one of three GWR stations to open this year, along with Portway Park and Ride in Bristol and Reading Green Park, and we are excited for the benefits these will bring to their local economies, residents, businesses and leisure travellers.”
Portway Park and Ride is due to open later in the summer.