Okehampton Interchange is a new-build station, necessary to support local authorities’ regional growth strategies. Octavius is the project’s design and build contractor, which was awarded under Network Rail’s Wales and Western Framework.
Part of Devon’s Dartmoor Line, in form and function Okehampton typifies a new generation of stations being created across the country as railway lines closed in the 1960s and 70s are re-opened as transformative regional transport infrastructure.
As well as creating a step-free access single platform the Okehampton Interchange project integrates the rail line with walking and cycling routes – which will be improved as part of the scheme. In addition, new infrastructure will integrate several local bus routes into the interchange. The scope also encompasses sheltered parking space for bikes and 200 new car parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging points. Which all adds up to improved travel choices and contributes to regional low-carbon travel strategies.
Multiple agency funding is another thing Okehampton shares with many new regional rail station projects. The £15 million station is primarily funded by Government, with contributions from Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council and Network Rail.
Octavius has implemented Network Rail’s Project SPEED approach to impressive effect, setting Okehampton on track to become the quickest new station constructed and commissioned under Swift, Pragmatic and Efficient Enhancement Delivery (SPEED) and Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (PACE) principles.
An optimised design and delivery programme was adopted to meet funding deadlines, and Progressive Assurance planning allowed early work and overlap of PACE stages. Phased procurement was also used to accelerate delivery, while ensuring early approval of track design allowed blockade deadlines to be met.
Early in 2024 the team undertook a gap analysis on the ES3 design options report produced by Network Rail. This facilitated a contract for completion of outline and detailed design ES4/5 and issue of a programme commencing outline design in May 2024, leading to a construction complete date in February 2026. Following a Progressive Assurance approach the efficient release of design packages enabled major track works to commence early in 2025, under an eight-day blockade.
Design continued through to approved for construction (AFC) in June 2025 and the project remains on plan to meet the construction complete stretch target date in February 2026. This is a testament to both Octavius, lead designer Mott MacDonald and all of the supply chain who have supported the project to date.
Octavius’ ability to swiftly and creatively respond to challenges came to the fore in the weeks leading up to the blockade, when excavations revealed the drainage routes proposed in the design were unviable. An alternative design was proposed, designed to AFC constructed and tested, within the 2 week period leading up to and during the blockade, even though the re-working required significantly more drainage infrastructure and undertrack excavations in hard mud-stone, than the original design envisaged.
Continuing to make effective use of Progressive Assurance enabled Octavius to complete the foundation, lift shaft and footbridge works by September 2025 – in line with the programme and car park construction is well under way. Okehampton is on schedule to enter service in early summer 2026.
Okehampton Interchange is just one illustration of how Octavius is contributing to local authorities’ transformative regional transport initiatives in the west of England. Other examples announced in the last 12 months include creating Charfield’s new railway station, securing a place on Bristol Highways Assets and Civils framework, winning a major role on the Banwell bypass and being awarded the A38 Major Road Network Improvement Scheme by North Somerset Council.
