West Country MPs are pressing the government for clearer details on funding and timelines following the recent spending review, which confirmed investment in reopening two railway stations: Wellington in Somerset and Cullompton in Devon. These stations are set to welcome passengers for the first time since 1964, with the Treasury officially confirming funding on June 11.
Local Liberal Democrat MPs Gideon Amos (Taunton and Wellington) and Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to request specific figures and plans. Work to build the spine road connecting Wellington’s new station to Nynehead Road is expected to start this autumn, yet Network Rail has not provided detailed plans or commencement dates for the station itself.
In a Commons statement on June 17, Reeves did not offer specifics about the projects, and responded non-committally when questioned by Mr. Amos. That evening, the Treasury issued a brief statement saying additional details would be provided shortly but offered no new information.
Mr. Amos expressed concern in his letter: the Treasury’s vague funding announcement leaves critical questions unanswered. He warned that only partial funding—particularly given the £5 million already pledged—could jeopardize completing both stations within two years. With detailed design work nearly finished, partial funding risks losing the projected £180 million regional economic growth and the creation of vital jobs and educational opportunities.
Amos and Foord are collaborating with other South West MPs and officials to arrange a ministerial meeting to seek further clarity. Meanwhile, Tessa Dean, Chair of the Taunton and Wellington Labour Party, praised the government’s funding as a long-overdue investment that will stimulate economic growth, reduce traffic, and enhance accessibility for local residents and visitors alike. She contrasted this with the previous Conservative government, which repeatedly promised but failed to deliver the project.
The spine road is part of a new development planned to include 200 homes, granted outline planning permission by Somerset Council in May 2024. Detailed designs—including pedestrian and cycling links and the “station square” featuring the top of the Wellington Monument—were approved back in March. West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd, responsible for the site, is negotiating minor changes to the Section 106 agreement surrounding the spine road’s construction start date. Completion of this road is a prerequisite before any homes in the development can be occupied, with managing director Chris Winter aiming to begin work in September and earliest home occupancies potentially in 2027.
The project’s roadworks must be coordinated around the ongoing £5.7 million Chelston Link Road improvements, which began in mid-June and run through September. Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset’s transport portfolio holder, praised the confirmation as excellent news and thanked MPs and officials for their advocacy, reaffirming the council’s commitment to advancing the station’s access road swiftly.
While West of England Developments will deliver the access road, Network Rail will be responsible for the station itself—including associated facilities like the car park—estimated to cost around £15 million. Network Rail must submit final station plans to Somerset Council before construction can begin, which could delay work until 2026 at the earliest. The station is likely to have no ticket office or waiting room.
Network Rail declined to comment on the project timeline pending further discussions with the Department for Transport. The new station’s development is also tied to the planned extension of the Grand Western Greenway, a car-free active travel route following the former Grand Western Canal to Taunton railway station. A feasibility study outlining the route for walkers and cyclists is expected this summer, paving the way for funding applications and negotiations with landowners.