MP Rachel Gilmour MP has welcomed plans to restore historic train services from the West Somerset Railway (WSR) to the mainline.

The heritage railway and Somerset Council last week submitted a strategic outline business case (SOBC) to Government asking for £137,000 to develop a full business case showing how trains could run from Taunton to connect with the WSR at Bishops Lydeard Station.

Mrs Gilmour said: “I welcome this exciting news of plans to restore the train line between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard.

“The Tiverton and Minehead constituency is crying out for new and improved transport links, both in this area of the constituency and wider still, and I hope that this is the first of many new improvements.

“Last week, I met with Peninsula Transport, the sub-national transport body for the South West, to discuss an upgrade to the transport services available for my constituents.

“This was a productive meeting, and with my transport advisor, David Northey, I am hopeful for improvements in West Somerset and throughout the rest of the constituency.

“It is crucially important to make major changes to social mobility and increase the number of opportunities in our area.”

Taunton MP Gideon Amos said: “Connecting the West Somerset Railway to Taunton station would be a great way to bring more people to visit our great county town and for them to explore our wonderful Somerset countryside.

“I was pleased to work with Rachel Gilmour on our joint submission to the Rail Minister to take this project to the next stage and we will continue to work together in Parliament to drive it forward.”

The SOBC suggested Bishop Lydeard could be a park-and-ride hub for commuters and tourists to access train services and a year-round service with an hourly timetable co-ordinated with local bus services could be possible.

The WSR is the longest steam train line in the country and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 16 months’ time.