The Okehampton-Exeter saga seems to have become a bit unfocussed. While any rail improvement is welcome, it is worth mentioning that Exeter-Okie bus services have contracted in recent years, and commuters would have to climb a couple of hundred feet to get to the station. I am alarmed to think that Devon CC money has gone into this enterprise without any overt cost benefit analysis. As regular on the Exmouth line, I think there are more deserving cases going begging for a relatively modest amount which would transform rail into a bright 21st century future. Our line (EXD_EXM) is basically full, already maintaining 10% passenger increase annually even during the recession, with the prospect of 6000 more houses approved to be built on its line of route within the next five years. While ^35 million is allocated for various local road schemes, little is available for rail. I think promotion of investment where the system is already successful, but creaking, would be better than fantasy thinking about possible HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) timings between Exeter and Plymouth via Tavistock - how many hundreds of millions would that cost, and should it take precedence over electrification to Exeter and Plymouth? There is a grave dange in talking up romantic schemes for new or reopened services, and getting money for them, while the bread and butter lines, which will have an increasing part to play in the overall transport network they serve, wither through lack of what should be routine upgrading.

I thought Stagecoach had made Route 57 (Exeter-Exmouth) 'all double decker' two years ago when they introduced the ex-London ex-Cambridge park and riders. Although the train still uses Leyland Nationals (=class 142) I would still rate it a superior ride, and twice as fast, centre to centre, now that the line;s nearly all welded track. I think the punctuality is better, too! Bumper