28 May Wellington train station development update
WELLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL NEWS ON A RAILWAY STATION FOR WELLINGTON
On 20th May I attended a virtual meeting of Somerset West and Taunton Council’s Executive Committee as the Wellington and Cullompton Railway Station Project was being discussed.
There were some questions that I wished to ask regarding the project and its future funding.
The funding for the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) of £150-200k was to be shared equally between Mid Devon District Council and Somerset West and Taunton District Council and Somerset West and Taunton District Council’s funds were to be allocated from the New Homes Bonus Reserve and I was informed that this funding stream could be used for the project as it supports the infrastructure for the new homes being built in Wellington.
I pointed out to the Committee that Wellington Town Council has already contributed £10,000 and the previous district council, Taunton Deane Borough Council, had contributed £40,000 but Somerset County Council who are the transport authority for Somerset had not made a contribution.
This was acknowledged by the Committee members as unfortunate as Somerset County Council felt unable to contribute financially but the authority is committing officer time to the project.
It was also announced at the meeting that the project group for this initiative would meet every six weeks which is excellent news as so far, the project has lumbered along with little visual momentum and the people of Wellington, as do the Town Council, want to see some positive action towards the overall aim of a new railway station in the town. I am constantly being asked by residents what is happening with the project.
A funding bid was submitted in February 2020 to the Department for Transport for £50,000 towards the project but on the day of the meeting, the Council were still awaiting the outcome of this bid.
On Saturday 23rd May during the daily Downing Street briefing, Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary announced on national television that the bid had been approved. Wonderful news for the project and for Wellington!!
Janet Lloyd
Mayor of Wellington
Please find the extract from the SWT meeting here.
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