Network Rail has formally submitted a planning application for a new railway station near Torquay. The proposed Edginswell station aims to serve Torbay Hospital and a new development on the town’s outskirts, fulfilling a long-standing wish for improved rail connectivity in the area.
Torbay Council considers Edginswell an ideal location for the station, positioning it as the “gateway” to Torbay. However, concerns have arisen about the funding required for the project.
In 2021, the estimated cost of constructing the station was announced as £13.1 million. A portion of £3 million was designated from the government’s Town Deal funds, with the plan to match this with contributions from the council, developers, and Network Rail, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
Torbay Council’s Deputy Leader, Chris Lewis (Conservative), expressed that the project had faced unexpected challenges and potential costs during a recent meeting. He stated, “We thought it was a scheme that was ready to go, but we have now found out that it is not… We have got to find £10 million. We are going to the government, we are going to Network Rail, and we hope to be able to get it across the line.”
Initial construction for the station was scheduled to commence this summer, with the station intended to be operational by the close of 2024.
Network Rail’s application outlines plans for a new railway station accessible from Newton Road and Riviera Way. The proposal encompasses a fully-accessible footbridge equipped with a lift and elevated walkway. Additionally, the design incorporates amenities such as a waiting shelter, lighting, CCTV surveillance, and provisions for cycle parking.
