Network Rail has invested more than £3.75m on improving the Tarka Line in North Devon during the past financial year, the company disclosed today.

During 2012-13, the company has re-laid a total of 3.8 miles of track on the Exeter to Barnstaple line to improve reliability and performance.

The total investment includes the track re-laying work that has taken place during the recent blockades in November 2012 and March 2013 and drainage works at Colleton Mills, Kings Nympton and Portsmouth Arms.

Tim Maddocks, Network Rail’s customer services manager for the Westcountry, said: “Our aim is to improve performance, reduce maintenance costs and make the Tarka Line a more reliable, safer and smoother ride for passengers.”

The work includes track renewals to provide continuous welded rail and other essential maintenance and repair work on structures such as drainage, bridges and viaducts.

The track re-laying work has taken place at Chenson (0.2 miles), Umberleigh (1 mile), Lapford (1.5 miles) and on the north side of Eggesford (1.25 miles) with the aim of providing a smoother ride for passengers.

The dates and times of all the works were chosen to minimise the disruption to train services and reduce the impact on passengers travelling on the line.