New services launch this may, and a new station later this summer, taking the number of destinations served by Great Western Railway (GWR) to 200 for the first time.
Great Western Railway’s new timetable, launching from Sunday 17 May, represents one of the most significant expansions of rail connectivity across the South West and Wales in recent years bringing new services, new stations and new economic opportunities to communities from Cornwall to the Thames Valley.
The changes, which include the first phase of the long-awaited Mid-Cornwall Metro and new overnight connections to Gatwick Airport, reflect the role that rail plays in supporting jobs, tourism, investment and regional opportunities.
The timetable also marks a milestone year for GWR, with the railway set to open its 200th station. Since 2021, GWR has opened five new stations, at Okehampton, Marsh Barton, Reading Green Park, Portway Park and Ride and Ashley Down. Okehampton Interchange (the 200th) is due later this summer, and a further four stations over the next two/three years at Bristol Brabazon, Charfield, Portishead and Pill.
The first phase of the Mid-Cornwall Metro will launch on Sunday 17 May with an hourly service between Par and Newquay. The new services are made possible by the introduction of Class 175 trains introduced late last year, which will help drive improved performance and resilience, and significant improvements to the infrastructure by Network Rail.
The direct train represents a transformational step for one of England’s most economically underserved regions, improving access to employment, education and tourism for communities.
Newquay alone attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and a more frequent, modern rail service is expected to provide a significant boost to the local visitor economy reducing car dependency and making the town more accessible to day visitors and holidaymakers alike.
The summer timetable will also see the introduction of daily direct services between London and Newquay.
New overnight services between Reading and Gatwick Airport will provide seamless connections to one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, opening the South West and Thames Valley to new business travel, tourism and inward investment. For communities along the corridor, the service offers a practical, sustainable alternative to long road journeys for early morning or late-night flights.
The opening of Okehampton Interchange station on the Dartmoor Line, with a new 200 space car park, will provide significantly improved access across west Devon and beyond. The station is set to become a key gateway for a region that has historically been among the least well-connected in England, supporting local businesses, reducing rural isolation and making west Devon more accessible to visitors.
New research shows that railway stations across the South West could unlock 238,000 jobs and £14.25 billion by 2035. As part of this, new stations, including Okehampton Interchange and Marsh Barton (opened in 2023), are projected to generate 1,500 permanent jobs and around £112 million each year over the next decade.
The new summer timetable also sets GWR up for what promises to be one of its busiest seasons, with thousands of tourists, festival-goers and sports fans expected to travel across the network. Rail plays a central role in making these events accessible, sustainable and economically valuable for the communities that host them.
Mark Hopwood, managing director of Great Western Railway, said: “Rail is one of the most powerful tools we have for driving economic growth connecting people to jobs, businesses to markets, and communities to opportunity.
“This new timetable is a statement of intent: we are committed to making our railway work harder for the communities we serve, not just as a way of getting around, but as a genuine engine of local and regional prosperity.
“From the first trains of the Mid-Cornwall Metro to our 200th station, this is a milestone moment for GWR, and we are proud to be delivering it.”
Image credit: GWR
