HOPES that the Heathfield railway line will re-open have been given a boost as Teignbridge Council will officially submit an application for Government funding to re-open the track.

Plans to restore a four mile section of the Dartmoor branch line that once ran through nearby Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead must to be submitted by March 14.

Councillors are currently working ‘hell for leather’ to have a detailed submission completed in time.

After a letter from Teignbridge Council leader, Gordon Hook, was successful in gaining sponsorship from Newton Abbot MP Anne Marie Morris in its bid to support the Heath Rail Link (HRL) through the Government’s ‘Restoring Your Railway’ Ideas Fund, which closed for submissions last week.

Councillors involved in the bid insist that this proposal holds very real possibilities for success.

Portfolio for Planning Cllr Gary Taylor, said: ‘There are more people commuting from Torbay to Teignbridge and comm utters travelling from Bovey Tracey to Newton Abbot in congested roads during rush hour.

‘Opening the line could ease the traffic in commutes. There’s also the leisure and tourism benefits further down the road with Heathfield being a good starting point for cycle routes in the area. I know that some people drive to Bovey Tracey to join some of the nearby cycle paths, opening the track would prevent cars being driven in this process.’

Leader of the Council, Gordon Hook, said: ‘I would like to think the government will take a sympathetic stance on this bid to reopen the line. The economic and environmental benefits of having a train service would be immense.’