Trains
have
started
to
call


at
a
new
station
in
the
southern
suburbs
of
Exeter
this
morning,
following
an
opening
ceremony
attended
by
transport
secretary
Mark
Harper.

Marsh
Barton
on
the
Great
Western
main
line
is
near
a
park
and
industrial
estate,
and
is
served
by
trains
running
between
Paignton,
Exeter
St
David’s
and
Exmouth.

The
transport
secretary
visited
the
station
yesterday
to
declare
it
open,
and
while
he
was
in
Devon
he
also
visited
the
site
of
the
nearby
Dawlish
sea
wall,
which
has
now
been
completed.

Mark
Harper
said:
‘I
am
delighted
to
see
the
completion
of
these
major
projects,
delivering
a
Government
commitment
to
improve
a
vital
rail
route
for
passengers
in
the
South
West. 

‘These
projects
demonstrate
a
Government
that
is
delivering
our
promises,
investing
in
vital
infrastructure
and
improving
transport
connections
to
help
grow
the
economy.’

He
was
welcomed
to
Marsh
Barton
by
GWR
managing
director
Mark
Hopwood,
who
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
to
ease
congestion
on
some
of
Exeter’s
busiest
roads
and
offer
a
more
environmentally
friendly
option
for
those
who
normally
drive
into
the
area.

‘Marsh
Barton
is
one
of
three
GWR
stations
to
open
this
year
along
with
Portway
Park
&
Ride
in
Bristol
and
Reading
Green
Park,
and
we
are
excited
for
the
benefits
these
stations
will
bring
to
the
local
economy,
to
residents,
businesses
and
leisure
travellers.’