House of Commons · Petition P003161
Tarka Line
04 February 2026
Presented 1 time by 1 MP
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
This petition concerning tarka line was presented to Parliament once by 1 MP.
Issue summary
The petition addresses the overcrowding, repeated service disruptions due to flooding, and structural deficiencies of the Tarka Rail Line between Barnstaple and Exeter, which has seen a record-breaking 1 million rail journeys per year.
Action requested
The House of Commons urges the government to ask Network Rail and Great Western Rail to prioritise the Tarka Line for improvements and work together to make rail travel in North Devon more resilient.
Key facts
- Over 3,000 signatures on an online petition
- Record-breaking 1 million rail journeys per year between Barnstaple and Exeter
- Service disruptions due to flooding, with all trains cancelled following Storm Chandra
- Rail link shut for over a week and service not resuming for several more days
Presentation timeline
MPs presented this petition on the following dates. Each card shows the presenters and any recorded remarks.
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Presented 04 February 2026
Further to our online petition, signed by more than 3,000 people, calling for the Tarka rail line to be future-proofed, I present this petition on behalf of rail passengers in northern Devon, who have suffered overcrowding and repeated service disruption due to flooding this winter, despite a record-breaking 1 million rail journeys per year between Barnstaple and Exeter. Following Storm Chandra, all trains have been cancelled. North Devon’s rail link has been shut for over a week, and service will not resume for several more days. The petitioners therefore request “that the House of Commons urge the government to ask Network Rail and Great Western Rail to prioritise the Tarka Line for improvements, and to work together to make rail travel in North Devon more resilient.