Construction on the spine road leading to Wellington’s new railway station is now expected to start by Christmas, according to the developer, West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd. Initially anticipated to begin in September, the project has been delayed due to pending approvals and ecological considerations.
Following the government’s recent spending review, the Department for Transport confirmed funding for new railway stations in Wellington and Cullompton, reinforcing Somerset’s transport infrastructure plans. West of England Developments secured outline planning permission in May 2024 for a 200-home development on Nynehead Road, which includes the vital spine road facilitating access to the new station. Detailed planning permission for the spine road and the station square was granted in March, with early indications pointing to a September start.
However, ongoing delays in obtaining final highway and drainage design approvals, as well as necessary ecology licenses to manage hedge removal, have pushed the start date back to the end of the year. Managing Director Chris Winter stated: “We expect the start date for the spine road and infrastructure to move to the end of the year, with completion targeted for September 2026.”
READ MORE: New Housing Development Approved for Growing Somerset Village
The project’s timeline is constrained by the Section 106 agreement with Somerset Council, which originally required construction to start by June 5 and finish by April 1, 2026. A request to amend these deadlines was made in February but remains undecided.
Somerset Council has pledged to support the timely delivery of the spine road to avoid further setbacks in completing the station. A council spokesperson remarked, “There is a legal obligation on the developer to deliver the spine road by the end of September 2026. We are actively working with them to ensure this deadline is met.”
While the spine road is the developer’s responsibility, the station and adjoining car park will be constructed by Network Rail, with planning applications expected before the year’s end.