The long-awaited new Marsh Barton railway station in Exeter will welcome its first passengers in less than a fortnight.

The £16 million station should have been up and running in December 2016, but delays, spiralling costs and protracted discussions with the rail industry led to considerable delays.

It was then hoped that what the industry calls the 'halt', alongside Exeter's energy from waste plant, would open before the end of 2022, but Devon County Council said that January the project had faced "challenges" with building supplies and bad weather.

It has now confirmed the station will open on Tuesday 4 July, following weeks of safety checks and assessments. The station includes a new pedestrian and cycle bridge which, having opened in April, is already in use.

Approximate location of the new railway station (Google Maps)

A core element of the Devon Metro rail strategy for Exeter, Marsh Barton will also serve communities living near the rail line in Teignbridge, Torbay and East Devon.

It is seen as central to supporting economic growth to the south west of Exeter and to the industrial estate's employment area itself.

The station will be served by hourly Great Western Railway services between Paignton and Exmouth, with half-hourly services at peak times.

The first train service at the new station will be the 0534 Exeter St Davids to Paignton, calling at Marsh Barton at 0538.

Councillor Andrea Davis (Conservative, Combe Martin Rural), Devon County Council's cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said: "The station will be a huge asset to this part of Exeter, providing convenient access to Marsh Barton trading estate as well as connecting with active links to access other areas of the city."

Teignbridge District Council's executive member for planning, Councillor Gary Taylor (Lib Dem, Kenton & Starcross), said: "This is an important step in improving access to South West Exeter for those who travel on the Riviera Line service.

"The new station gives cyclists and pedestrians easy access to and from trains which as well as helping commuters will boost active travel via the nearby Riverside Valley Park and Exe Estuary Trail."

Exeter City councillor Josie Parkhouse (Labour, Pennsylvania), member for climate and ecological crisis, added: "Everyone is aware of the need to use cars less often in order to lower emissions and reduce traffic pollution, and for that to happen people need access to reliable and efficient public transport, so I very much welcome this development and I look forward to the new station opening shortly."

The station is funded by the Department for Transport's New Stations Fund, Devon County Council, Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Exeter City Council, Teignbridge District Council, Network Rail and GWR.