Official optimism about a new station for Wellington is at its highest level, with an overwhelming business case going forward to the government’s New Stations Fund in May. “We’re on target to get on a train at Wellington in 2026,” said Cllr Mike Rigby, the district council portfolio holder for transport who is leading on the scheme.
“We’re in the most positive territory for a station since the old one closed 56 years ago,” added Cllr Rigby. However, the old site at Tone Dale is no longer viable for a range of reasons and the preferred location is near the Longforth Farm estate, with road access off the A38.
According to those close to the matter a new Taunton-Exeter shuttle would provide an hourly service, with trains on the existing Penzance-Exeter-Cardiff service also stopping in Wellington. Trains to Paddington would not stop at the town because of the short distances to Taunton and Tiverton Parkway stations.
“It needs to be much more than a commuter route to Taunton,” said Cllr Rigby. “It must link in effectively to the UK’s long distance rail network.”
Forecasts suggest 193,000 passengers a year from Wellington in the first three years of operation, rising to 222,000 beyond that period. The study emphasises that with Wellington’s state secondary school not providing post-16 education, easy travel to Exeter, Taunton and Bridgwater is vital to help increase social mobility.
Cycling campaigners are hoping that a new station, plus the commuter pressure from 2,000 new houses at Comeytrow just up the A38, will push forward the case for a dedicated safe cycle route from Wellington to Taunton.
The New Stations Fund works on a financial model of a £15m build cost, with 75% of that sum coming from Westminster. Somerset West and Taunton council, or a new unitary authority, will have to find around £3.8m although Cllr Rigby suggested that station car park revenues might help fund capital borrowing.
Am I reading this correctly ? 193,000 passengers a year !! That equates to 528 per day !! Surely that is not correct!!