MEMBERS of the group planning Wellington’s new railway station have met on site for the first time.

The Devon and Somerset Metro Rail Group viewed the Longforth Farm estate location in person ahead of a visit by the Rail Minister Huw Merriman which is being arranged by local MP Rebecca Pow.

Ms Pow, who chairs the metro group, which is working on twin stations for Wellington and Cullompton, was joined by representatives from Wellington Town Council, Network Rail, Great Western Railway, the developers, and architects.

They started at the point where a proposed cyclepath and walkway will enter near the new Lidl supermarket and walked to the area where the station’s car park and platform has been proposed.

The station development will also include mixed housing provision and commercial opportunities.

West of England Developments Ltd expects to submit its planning application ‘within the next couple of months’.

Wellington Railway Station Rebecca Pow MP metro group new train station
Local MP Rebecca Pow at the site of Wellington’s proposed new railway station with consultant Darren Beer, of Focus on Design, Bristol. ( )

Ms Pow said the development would be ‘very green’ with integrated cycling and walking facilities. She said she was working hard with stakeholders to ensure the cycling provision linked with a Wellington cycle plan and a place strategy for the town.

Ms Pow said: “Getting everyone onsite to actually visualise the proposed station was a very exciting moment.

“Invaluable detailed work has been undertaken for many years now to get us to this stage, for which everyone involved must be commended.

“We have been successful in securing Government funding at steps along the way to help get us to this stage.

“And now we are pushing for the full business case to be submitted to the Department for Transport sometime between June and the autumn.

“I am pressing for this to be completed as soon as possible so that we are ready to take advantage of the Government backing we need for the final stage.

“I have informed the Secretary of State for Transport of our progress so far and will be giving him a further update following the onsite meeting as well as the meeting of the full committee jointly with Cullompton which followed.”