Re-open Laira Station says Luke
- Proposal to re-open Laira station a century after it closed to passengers
- Plan for new station part of Luke’s campaign for a new Plymouth Metro
- New station at Plympton and Laira part of a half hourly service Luke is arguing for as part of the biggest rail overhaul in decades in Plymouth
Laira station should be re-opened – that is the call from MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Luke Pollard, as he sets out plans for the biggest overhaul of rail services in Plymouth in half a century.
The proposal forms part of Luke’s campaign for a new Plymouth Metro – a modern, turn-up-and-go rail network connecting communities across the city and surrounding areas with more frequent and reliable services.
Laira station, located next to Laira Depot, closed to passengers in July 1930. It previously served the communities of Lipson and Laira, as well as workers at the nearby railway depot. The station was accessed from Mullet Road and via steps connecting to the underpass at Brandon Road.
Under Luke’s proposals, Laira would sit on a revitalised Ivybridge to Bere Alston line, with the possibility of extending this to Tavistock in future. Plans include trains running Plymouth city centre every 30 minutes as part of a three-phase Metro-style upgrade expected in the early 2030s.
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said:
“A century after Laira station closed, I want to open it again as part of ambitious plans for a new Plymouth Metro. As our city grows and attracts billions of investment, we need a better rail plan and that’s what the metro proposals would deliver.
I’ve been working with GWR and the City Council on proposals that would see a three-phase development with half hourly trains on the Ivybridge to Bere Alston route starting in the early 2030s.
“The trains will pass through Laira as part of the Plymouth Metro plan. The only question is whether they should stop in Laira. I think they should and open up a world of opportunity to the communities of Mount Gould and Laira. That’s the case I will be making.”
The Plymouth Metro concept would see rail services operate more like an urban transport system, with frequent trains linking key parts of the city including Plympton, the city centre, Devonport and beyond.
A new station at Laira would significantly improve connectivity for nearby communities, with journey times expected to be just a few minutes into Plymouth city centre, and around 10 minutes to Devonport Dockyard, creating faster and more reliable access to jobs, education and services.
Luke’s proposals also include a new walking and cycling route linking Laira station to Mount Gould via a path alongside Laira Depot, helping connect communities that are currently less well served by public transport.
Cllr Neil Hendy, councillor for Efford and Lipson Ward that covers Laira said:
“Laira is a very proud community built around the railway decades ago. I want to see residents fully involved in the plans for our community and I’ll be making the case for better connections for our community.”
Cllr Mary Aspinall, who represents Mount Gould on the city council added:
“I’ve fought hard over the years for regular bus services for Mount Gould, but reopening Laira station could be transformative. I back the bold vision Luke has set out and will work to make it happen for the community I represent.”
The proposals are still at an early stage. Luke has been working with GWR over the past year to develop plans for the Plymouth Metro and explore the feasibility of reopening Laira station.
Plymouth City Council is also considering the Metro proposals as part of its wider Team Plymouth work to support defence-led growth, including improving transport links to the dockyard and across the city.
Luke is planning public meetings in both Laira and Mount Gould in May to discuss the proposals with residents and gather feedback on the plans.
Background to Luke’s campaign
- The Plymouth Metro is a proposed upgrade to local rail services to create a frequent, urban-style rail network across the city and surrounding areas, aimed at improving connections between Plymouth, Tavistock, Plympton, Ivybridge and into Cornwall
- The plan centres on increasing services on the Ivybridge to Bere Alston line to half-hourly, improving connectivity between Plymouth, the dockyard and surrounding areas
- Laira station (sometimes referred to historically as Laira Halt) was open on 1 June 1904. It was closed to passengers in 1930, but remains on an active railway line
- Laira Depot is one of the South West’s key rail maintenance facilities and plays an important role in servicing trains operating across the region – after sixty years as a steam depot, diesels started to arrive in 1958. A diesel depot opened in 1962 and was expanded in 1981 to accommodate the High Speed Trains
- Improved rail connectivity is seen as key to supporting Plymouth’s growth, including access to jobs in the dockyard and wider economic development