The construction of the access road to Wellington’s new railway station has been significantly delayed due to errors made by Lidl during the build of its adjacent supermarket.
West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd. obtained outline planning permission from Somerset Council in May 2024 to build the spine road connecting Nynehead Road to the planned station car park, supporting a development of 200 new homes. The road design itself was approved by the council’s planning committee in March 2025, prior to the station’s official approval following the government’s spending review.
This new road would extend the existing access from Lidl’s supermarket north-west, linking to the station car park— which Network Rail will deliver under a separate planning application. However, investigations revealed Lidl’s section of the spine road fails to meet adoptable standards. As a result, much of the road will require remediation, delaying further construction.
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The agreed plan preserves the existing T-junction with Nynehead Road, adding a new pedestrian crossing and improved pedestrian and cycle routes between the station and the Taunton Road roundabout. The developer had also committed to exploring purchasing additional land from Lidl to remodel the T-junction and prioritize traffic flow towards the station.
Simon Fox, Somerset Council’s major project planning officer, explained that Lidl initially appeared cooperative but later refused to cede land or allow extended store closures required for junction improvements. Lidl expressed concerns about losing trading days during roadworks, which they said would jeopardize store operations.
With Lidl unwilling to facilitate the junction redesign, the developer will instead pay £359,000 to the council. This sum can fund future junction improvements or be redirected towards affordable housing or local schools within the development.
Residents remain worried about the safety of the current T-junction. Jeremy Toye, chairman of Nynehead Parish Council, urged Lidl to consider public safety over short-term profit, highlighting the increased risk as 200 new homes and a busy station come into use.
Some council members questioned the possibility of using a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to acquire the necessary land. However, officials noted that since the junction is deemed safe and there is no urgent public safety threat, pursuing a CPO is not justified.
Councillor Gwilym Wren criticized Lidl’s stance, describing it as “dog in a manger” behavior that puts customers and the public at risk. He pointed out that the route is heavily used, including by drivers traveling west from the motorway, further intensifying traffic concerns.
After extensive discussion, the council’s planning committee unanimously approved the revised legal agreement, with a report on how the £359,000 will be allocated due by February 2026.