Central Devon MP Mel Stride made a whistle-stop, fact-finding visit to the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh on Saturday 5th April.

Commenting on his visit, Mr Stride said: “I’d like to congratulate the South Devon Railway on successfully repairing a major landslip against the clock that blocked the tracks for several weeks after Christmas until early February which was a considerable achievement. It was their Dawlish!”

“I was also pleased to help get the railway’s 2014 daily running season underway as part of English Tourism Week, and proving that the line is very much “open for business” again and everyone is looking forward to a busy Easter.” Speaking on behalf of the South Devon Railway, Trust director Phil Parratt said:

“We were pleased to welcome local MP Mel Stride to the railway during English Tourism week for our ‘Half Fare’ weekend and we gave him a personal insight into the workings of the SDR. ”

“He agreed that we have considerable importance for South Devon’s economy as both an employer and visitor attraction, benefiting the area by over £10million a year. ”

“We also discussed our expansion plans and urgent need for covered accommodation for our coaching stock, plus resilience for the future in the light of our landslip and the Dawlish washout. Since his election, Mel has been a strong supporter of the SDR and we are grateful for his continuing interest and help.”