Storm damage keeps Tarka Line closed as commuters call for urgent investment

North Devon’s Liberal Democrat MP, Ian Roome, has handed a petition to Parliament calling for investment to improve the Tarka Line, which has faced repeated flooding and cancellations in recent months. 

The petition has been signed by more than 3,000 residents.

Mr Roome said the line was a vital link for commuters, students, and families.

ABOVE: North Devon MP Ian Roome with local residents who signed the Tarka Line petition, calling for urgent investment to improve reliability.

“I was proud to hand in North Devon’s Tarka Line petition to Parliament, backed by more than 3,000 people who are fed up with disruption and want lasting action. We need a service we can rely on, and that means a serious commitment to resilience,” he said.

The Tarka Line, which runs between Barnstaple and Exeter, has been hit by storm damage in recent weeks, and it is not yet known when services will fully resume.

Last week, National Rail confirmed that three branch lines in Devon and Cornwall, including the Barnstaple route, will remain closed until further notice to allow for safety inspections following severe storms.

Engineers completed work to repair visible track damage on stretches of the Barnstaple and Okehampton lines earlier last week. 

However, National Rail explained that specialist dive teams now needed to inspect submerged structures along the routes, including bridges and viaducts, to ensure the water hasn’t caused further damage. 

Latest assessments show that water levels are still too high and flowing too fast for divers to safely carry out inspections.

As a result, services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple remain suspended.

Cllr Peter Leaver, Deputy Leader of North Devon Council, said the line was critical for the local economy and connectivity. 

“We’re working closely with operators and partners to improve reliability, but it’s increasingly clear that major investment is needed to make the line more resilient, especially in the face of extreme weather,” he said.

Tim Steer, chair of Railfuture for Devon and Cornwall, called the ongoing disruption “intensely frustrating” and said the line needed long-term investment. 

“Getting to work, education and appointments is being thrown into chaos because our rail line is not a fit-for-purpose lifeline. The case to secure transformational investment has never been stronger,” he said.

Mr Roome has said he will meet with Network Rail to press for a plan to strengthen the line against flooding and extreme weather, while urging residents to continue sharing their experiences to support the case for investment.