An update on plans for Wellington’s new railway station has been provided by the local MP, Rebecca Pow.
Members of the town council were told last night (Monday) that the proposed opening date had been put back until the Spring/Summer 2026.
It was originally hoped that construction of the station in the Longforth Farm area would start this year with it opening in the latter part of 2025.
Mrs Pow issued a statement today, saying: “Following my recent engagement with Network Rail, I can confirm that they have now submitted the full business case for Wellington and Cullompton stations to the Department of Transport (DfT.)
“The project has so far received funding of £5m from the Government’s Restoring Your Railway programme and I delighted to have worked with the Department of Transport to achieve this.
“Network Rail had originally planned to submit the business case in January but further work was required on the proposed railway timetable, and to make sure the design is integrated with third party proposals for nearby residential and business development and Somerset Council’s plans for a Mobility Hub close to the station site.
“Network Rail expects to apply for planning permission later this month but a decision is not expected until later this year, once the results of ecological surveys are known.
Any further work, including building the station, is subject to the approval of the business case and funding from the DfT. In the meantime, Network Rail will continue to work with stakeholders, keeping everyone updated as plans progress.
“Having championed the station since becoming the MP, I will of course keep up the pressure both locally and in Westminster to ensure the project progresses.
“The station will be a genuine game-changer for my constituents, and our area more widely, and I want to see it come to fruition at the earliest opportunity. It was heartening that the Prime Minister himself recently gave his commitment to the scheme.”