THE completion of the new station being developed at Newcourt on the Exmouth line has been delayed until early in the new year, according to partners involved in the project.
The start of construction work at Newcourt Station has been progressing well in recent weeks.
However, following some delays at the outset of the project and a number of combined difficulties during the design and build construction contract being undertaken by local contractors Dyer and Butler, it has become clear that the new station will not be ready for operation at the end of December as originally planned.
It is anticipated that the station will not be open until March.
Devon County Council is working closely with Dyer and Butler, to ensure successful completion and hand over to First Great Western and Network Rail.
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon's cabinet member for Economy and Growth, said: "This was always going to be a challenging timetable to meet and unfortunately the project will over-run beyond the original schedule.
"However, when it is complete we will have a scheme that will be a tremendous asset for Devon and our Devon Metro.
"The county council would like to thank the local residents for their understanding and patience during the continuing construction phase of this important local project."
In October this year Community news reported that some of the delays had been caused by reptiles.
A spokesman for the county council said at the time that the reptiles concerned were slow worms and a common lizard, and added that these had been moved safely by qualified ecologists.
The scheme is costing £1.5m.
