Somerset Council Approves New Railway Station in Wellington

Somerset Council has given the green light to plans for a new railway station in Wellington, which will include 200 homes and commercial units. The £15m project, expected to open in June 2026, has secured funding from the Department for Transport following the cancellation of the High Speed 2 rail link between Birmingham and Manchester.

Why this matters: The approval of the new railway station marks a significant step towards improving regional connectivity and reducing carbon emissions. This development is likely to have a ripple effect on the local economy, attracting new businesses and residents to the area, and potentially setting a precedent for similar infrastructure projects in other regions.

The new station will be served solely by Great Western Railway (GWR) services and will initially have hourly trains in each direction from the outset. Network Rail officer Karen Williams confirmed, "The station will initially have hourly trains in each direction from the outset." The development will provide up to 200 new homes, revised down from 220 in the original plans, alongside commercial space near the railway station.

West of England Developments Taunton Ltd will extend the existing access near the Lidl store to deliver the access road through the new housing development. The project will also provide £305,000 to create a station square area of public open space near the southern platform, which will be managed by Wellington Town Council and feature a unique piece of public art - the reclaimed top of the Wellington Monument.

The development will make significant contributions to local infrastructure, including £573,000 towards local schools, £89,336 for expanding existing doctors' surgeries, and nearly £574,000 for walking and cycling connections to and from the station. A further £50,000 will be provided to help deliver the Grand Western Greenway, which will run to the north of the railway station and eventually provide a safe off-road cycle route between Wellington and Taunton.

The approval of the new railway station marks a major step in Somerset Council's efforts to restore rail services to Wellington, whose previous mainline station closed in the mid-1960s as part of the Beeching cuts. The council has been working closely with Network Rail to make this long-awaited project a reality.

The new Wellington station is set to bring numerous benefits to the town and surrounding area. It will improve connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and support sustainable travel options. The station is also expected to provide a boost to the local economy by attracting new businesses and residents to Wellington.

Residents and community members eagerly await the opening of the new railway station in June 2026. The development promises to transform Wellington's transportation infrastructure and contribute to the town's growth and prosperity in the coming years.

Key Takeaways

• New railway station in Wellington approved, opening in June 2026.
• £15m project includes 200 homes, commercial units, and improved connectivity.
• Station will have hourly trains in each direction, served by Great Western Railway.
• Development will provide £1.5m in contributions to local infrastructure and services.
• New station expected to boost local economy, reduce traffic congestion, and support sustainable travel.