A new depot at Exeter will open in early summer next year.

Great Western Railway’s new facility will be constructed on the site of the exiting depot. It will house GWR’s expanded diesel multiple unit fleet for the Devon and Cornwall area, while short-formed High Speed Trains and Intercity Express Trains will also use the facility.

It will have improved servicing, cleaning and maintenance capabilities, while office and welfare facilities will also be enhanced. Hochtief (UK) will carry out the work.

GWR is due to cascade Class 150/2s and ‘158s’ from the Bristol area to Exeter, to release Class 143 and ‘150/1s’, while ‘153s’ will move to Cornwall. Four-coach HSTs and IETs will also serve the area, as GWR plans a 52% capacity increase.