Step forward for station plans with £5m injection

THE plan to develop railway stations in Cullompton and Wellington have come a step closer to reality with the announcement of funding in the Government’s autumn budget.

The latest funding announcement of £5 million will enable the projects to advance to the next stage of their development and follows the submission of a business case to the Department for Transport earlier in the year.

Both stations closed in 1964, however, both towns have grown in population since then and are the largest settlements unserved by a rail station between Exeter and Taunton. The funding announcement follows months of work to develop the case for the proposed new train stations at Cullompton and Wellington by the Steering Group and WSP Consulting. Cllr Bob Deed, leader of Mid Devon District Council said: “This is excellent news for the Cullompton area. The two local Members for Parliament in conjunction with Mid Devon District and Somerset West and Taunton Councils have been working closely with the rail industry and the Local Enterprise Partnership to progress plans to reopen stations at Cullompton and Wellington.

“It is good to know that our project is supported nationally and this announcement brings us significantly closer to realising our aspirations.”

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, said: “I am absolutely thrilled the Chancellor has given his backing to reopen Cullompton railway station.”

MP for Taunton Deane, Rebecca Pow, added that the stations would help encourage people to use public transport.