Wellington Somerset station 'still firmly under consideration'
Wellington station 'still firmly under consideration'
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Ruth Bradley
Politics reporter, BBC Somerset
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Network Rail
Artist impression of the new Wellington railway station
The government has said it is still considering the case for a new railway station in Wellington in Somerset.
It comes after the project was among dozens of transport schemes shelved last year because of financial pressures.
A transport minister has now said in Parliament that the "potential merits of the Cullompton and Wellington rail stations are still firmly under consideration".
A further decision is expected this summer when HM Treasury announces its spending review.
Gideon Amos MP, Liberal Democrat, Taunton and Wellington told Tuesday's debate the development would be a major economic and social boost for Somerset.
"Wellington is a growing town, which has had around 2,000 new homes in the last few years and has a projected 41% increase in housing numbers.
"That will mean about 6,000 more residents, and without the railway station, that is unlikely to be possible."
Responding, Simon Lightwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport acknowledged Wellington had a strong case.
"Reopening Wellington station presents an potential for a significant mode-shift from car to rail particularly for journeys between Wellington and Taunton, Exeter, Bristol and Bridgwater.
"Additionally, improved rail connectivity would reduce travel times and enhance journey reliability while also promoting sustainable transport options," he said.
Wellington lost its station in the Beeching cuts of the mid-1960s.
Reuters
Transport minister Simon Lightwood said there was a clear strategic objective to reopening Wellington station
The minister told the debate that the combined Wellington and Cullompton stations project had already received £6.15 million to complete the full business case and most of the design work.
He said it was estimated that an investment of about £45 million of additional funding is needed to complete delivery of the stations.
However due to "the difficult financial situation inherited from the previous government" he said it would not be possible for all transport projects to continue, particularly those "where spades are not in the ground".
Mr Lightwood also said: "The Department recognises that the reopening of Cullompton and Wellington rail stations would be a strategic investment in the future of those communities."
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