A LONG-TERM plan to permanently connect the national rail network at Taunton with the West Somerset Railway terminus at Bishops Lydeard and run daily scheduled services, received a massive boost this week with the formation of a high-level working group to explore ways of launching the scheme.
Welcoming the partnership, Steve Williams, West Somerset Railway development director, said: “This work is seen by the WSR as playing a vital part in securing the long-term sustainability of the railway.
“We have excellent relationships with our partners in this venture and we hope we can develop a robust case for reconnection to Taunton that will attract the necessary support and funding to make it a reality.”
The development comes after the successful trials of Great Western Railways summer Saturday diesel-car shuttle services between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard in 2019, linking up with WSR services to Minehead. The trials were suspended during the pandemic lockdown.
The scheme was hailed by pressure groups as a major step in eventually establishing a commercial rail service between Taunton and Minehead.
The new working group includes the Heart of South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Great Western Railways, Network Rail, Somerset County Council and West Somerset Railway PLC.
A spokesman for the partnership said this week: “The work will be in two phases initially. The first will be to develop a number of high-level options to identify the simple and most effective way in which the operational, signalling and infrastructure work can be accomplished and what is required to make that happen. The second phase will be the development of an outline business case including the socio-economic case for change and the cost model.”
Christian Irwin, rail investment centre of excellence director of Network Rail said: “Working closely with our local partners is essential to understanding the transport needs of our local communities.
“It will ensure that we develop a rail investment strategy which delivers a railway that is fit for purpose and supports the needs of our passengers and the communities we serve, now and into the future. We are pleased to be supporting this study.”
Matt Barnes, head of service strategy, Great Western Railway s added: “We are delighted to work with the WSR and other partners to explore the feasibility and business case for restoring daily passenger services between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard, building on our successful trial of summer Saturday shuttle services during 2019.”
Ian Harrison, transport adviser, Heart of South West Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Reconnecting communities to the national rail network gives residents better access to employment, services, education and training. It also improves connections to local businesses. Direct train services from Taunton will support inbound tourism to West Somerset, not least to the West Somerset Railway itself.”