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Local Enterprise Partnership welcome station funding announcement

The Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has welcomed the announcement made by Transport Secretary of State, Patrick McLoughlin, that Government funding has been approved for a brand new station in Devon.

Government’s backing for the £1.44 million Newcourt Station, which will be situated just outside Exeter, was revealed today (15 May 2013) by the Minister when he visited the region.

The Department for Transport will pay for around half of the scheme, with the balance funded locally. The new stations programme is part of Government’s initiative to modernise the railways over the period to 2019,   both to benefit passengers and support growth of the UK economy.

Newcourt station will be located on the Exeter to Exmouth line, which has already seen massive passenger growth over the last decade – from 800,000 passengers in 2002 to 1.2 million in 2012.  The station will serve new housing and employment areas, offering to opportunity of sustainable travel for residents and employees.

Liz Waugh, interim Chief Executive for the Heart of the South West LEP said: “We’d like to thank the Minister for the welcome news that Newcourt Station is to go ahead: we’ve been lobbying hard to get funding for Newcourt Station and for other key rail sites in the area.

“Improving our infrastructure is fundamental to driving economic growth and this announcement is a key milestone towards this aim.”

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “Receiving this New Station Funding is excellent news for our plans to improve the local rail network in the county and to improve the frequency of services. Having met the Transport Secretary I was encouraged to receive Government support for our Devon Metro initiative.

“There will be around 3,500 new homes in the Newcourt area so transport links will be vital in this part of the city in order to reduce traffic on the roads. I’m sure residents will appreciate having such direct access to rail services when the station is up and running.

“The new stations planned for Newcourt and Marsh Barton are a key element of the Devon Metro initiative and will be a boost for the local economy by providing access to significant areas of housing and employment.”

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      David Ralph

      Chief Executive

      David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

      Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

      David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.