Rationale for re-opening Devon railway station is ‘clear', says minister

Positive tone given in Parliament about potential re-opening of Cullompton station

The case for re-opening two Devon railway stations is “clear”, according to fresh government comments, but their future will remain uncertain until the upcoming spending review.

Campaigners have been trying to get both Cullompton railway station and Wellington, in Somerset, reopened for decades, and significant progress had been made under the Restoring Your Railway scheme overseen by the previous government.

But when Labour came to power in last year’s general election, it scrapped the initiative as part of its efforts to review government finances.

In a new debate on the issue in Parliament this week (Tuesday 6 May), though, a positive tone was struck by the government on both stations amid a debate featuring Richard Foord (Liberal Democrat, Honiton and Sidmouth) and Gideon Amos (Liberal Democrat, Wellington).

“The strategic objectives for building both stations are clear,” said Simon Lightwood, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport.

“As well as benefiting the immediate areas in Cullompton and Wellington, enhancing public transport connectivity will also support economic growth and productivity in Exeter, Taunton and Bridgwater, reducing road congestion, car dependency and associated carbon emissions.

“The stations would contribute to sustainable development, connecting new residential areas with regional employment, education and healthcare opportunities.”

He added that the case for considering both stations together “presents significantly higher value for money, compared with a stand-alone project in either area”.

Mr Foord stated that infrastructure was key to the government hitting its target of building 1.5 million homes by 2029, claiming that “nowhere is this more evident than in the Culm Garden Village project”.

“Located just east of junction 28 of the M5, the proposed development would bring over 5,000 new homes to Cullompton,” he said.

“Without a railway station, those new residents would be reliant on the motorway, which is already under severe pressure; junction 28 sees queues on to the inside lane, making it already a very unsafe motorway approach road to use.

“Residents welcomed the recent news of funding for the Cullompton town centre relief road, which is a step forward but, on its own, will not be enough.”

He added that a railway station in Cullompton could greatly improve the education opportunities for young people in the area.

According to a study by the University of Exeter, only 17 per cent of disadvantaged pupils in the South West go on to university, the lowest rate among all regions in England.

“A major contributor to that poor performance is transport infrastructure,” Mr Foord said.

“Young people in rural towns and villages—places such as Cullompton and Wellington—often struggle to access college, sixth form and any sort of further or higher education.

“For young people without access to a car, getting to college or university is not just difficult; it is impossible.”

Mr Amos echoed similar issues in his Wellington constituency, noting that opening the station would “enable thousands of young people who have no access to public transport, in west Somerset and elsewhere, to travel to colleges in Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter”.

“It will also enable thousands of customers to reach businesses,” he added.

Mr Amos also highlighted the cost-efficiency of the project.

“For the cost of around £42 million, £180 million of economic growth would go into the region, which I know the government would want to see,” he said.

“Frankly, there is no other rail project in the south-west that is ready to go and could be built and completed in the next two years, as the project is so far advanced.”

Mr Lightwood said the potential merits of the stations were “still firmly under consideration” even though the Restoring Your Railway program has been shuttered.

“Despite the closure of the programme, the Department for Transport continues to consider the project as part of its spending review,” he said.

“The stations project has already received £6.15 million to complete the full business case and most of the design work.

“It is estimated that an investment of about £45 million of additional funding is needed to complete delivery of the stations.

“However, due to the difficult financial situation inherited from the previous government, it will not be possible for all transport projects to continue, particularly those not yet in delivery, where spades are not in the ground.”

The spending review is scheduled to happen on 11 June.