North Devon trains under pressure as MP backs passengers’ charter

A proposed Rail Passengers’ Charter aimed at improving standards on Britain’s railways has been introduced to Parliament, with North Devon MP Ian Roome calling for urgent action to address what he described as “broken railways”.

The Liberal Democrat Bill was presented on Wednesday 21 January and would set out minimum guarantees for rail passengers, including seating, compensation for delays and on-board facilities.

In North Devon, the campaign comes as growing numbers of people rely on the Tarka Line between Barnstaple and Exeter. 

The route is one of the busiest branch lines in the South West, with demand continuing to rise.

Figures from the Office of Rail and Road show footfall at Barnstaple station increased by 63 per cent since 2019,  the largest rise recorded at any station in Devon and Cornwall.

Students use the line to reach Exeter College, commuters depend on it for work and appointments, and visitors rely on it to travel in and out of the area. 

However, passengers have long reported overcrowding, delays, disruption and rising fares.

The proposed Charter would place new legal duties on Great British Railways, including a requirement for adequate seating on journeys longer than 30 minutes and automatic compensation for delays, removing the need for passengers to submit claims.

It would also guarantee facilities such as high-speed wi-fi, charging points, clean and accessible toilets, storage for bicycles and luggage, and refreshments on journeys lasting more than two hours.

Mr Roome, who is also campaigning locally for investment to future-proof the North Devon Line, has backed calls for improved reliability, resilience during bad weather and increased capacity. 

His petition on the issue has been supported by almost 2,500 people.

Ian Roome, Liberal Democrat MP for North Devon, said: “Rail users in North Devon have been paying more for less for far too long. We have seen continual disruption to the North Devon Line over Christmas and heading into the new year, and it is unacceptable that while fares climb, the quality of our trains remains stuck in the past.

“Whether it’s the struggle to find a seat, the lack of working facilities, or the bureaucratic nightmare of claiming a refund, Britain’s broken railways are failing our community.

“While both the Conservatives and Labour have let rail passengers across North Devon down, the Liberal Democrats are taking action. Our Rail Passengers’ Charter will ensure our local rail network is a source of pride rather than stress

“In 2026, the last thing any of us want is even more cars forced onto already busy roads because people have lost faith in the railway.”

The Bill was formally introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Olly Glover, who told MPs that existing passenger charters lacked consistency and enforcement, and that overcrowding, unreliable services and poor facilities remained widespread across the network.

The Bill has now completed its First Reading, which is a formal stage with no debate.

It is scheduled for a Second Reading on Friday 27 February, when MPs will debate the principle of the legislation and decide whether it should progress to further scrutiny.

If approved, the Bill would then move to committee stage, where its detail would be examined and amendments considered.