MP Rebecca Pow is pleased to report that work is progressing steadily on the Wellington Rail station project. The latest Devon and Somerset Metro Board meeting heard that the draft full business case is currently undergoing final checks with a view to being submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) by the end of this month.  The proposals highlight a positive case which has so far been well received by the DfT in informal discussions.

The planning application for Longforth Farm is currently scheduled to go to the planning committee on 1 May and progress has been made to ensure the access route to the station can be put in place at the appropriate time. Additional work is still ongoing to integrate suitable cycling and walking facilities into the plans to improve active travel.

Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow said:

“I’m thrilled that progress continues to be made on a rail station for Wellington as I know it will be an absolute game-changer for local people and businesses across our area through improved connectivity. I’m also delighted that at Prime Minister’s Questions recently, Rishi Sunak re-confirmed the Government’s clear support for our project stating that funds from the now reduced HS2 scheme are being re-directed to schemes like the Wellington Station. This kind of investment is much needed in the South West and I am an delighted to have the Prime Ministers’ direct support for our scheme.

Genuine progress is underway with the full business case nearly ready to be submitted to the DfT. I have recently given the Secretary of State for Transport an update and look forward to him visiting the site soon. This has been a project which I have been pleased to spearhead for the past 7 years and it is good to see it moving closer to fruition. My ongoing thanks to everyone involved in our team locally for their hard and dedicated work in progressing this project for the benefit of my constituents and Somerset more widely.”