Devon Railway Revival Edges Closer With Crucial Meetings Held

People want train stations reopened in Cullompton and Wellington. MPs are pushing hard to make this happen. They recently met with the transport secretary about it. Officials see the value, but gave no promises.

Richard Foord is an MP for Honiton & Sidmouth. He wants Cullompton’s station to get fair consideration. He asked if rural areas would be disadvantaged. Big cities often have elected mayors influencing projects.

Gideon Amos is an MP for Taunton & Wellington. He spoke for the joint project on February 6th. Amos stressed how important reopening both stations is. Funding is uncertain until after a government review. The transport secretary sees the project’s benefits.

Foord said funding was expected last summer. He feels disappointed by the Conservative government. Many people worked hard for the Cullompton station. This includes past MPs, councillors, and locals.

They also collaborate with rail companies every three months. Last autumn, Foord teamed up with local councils. They improved the project’s business plan together. This followed a meeting with a rail minister. He wanted strong data to back the station campaign.

Foord said the station is needed even without new housing. It will help with current traffic issues on the motorway. Many residents commute to Exeter for work now. The station becomes essential with future housing growth too.

Foord wants the station before 5,000 new houses are built. This large development is called ‘Culm Garden Village’. He thinks infrastructure should come before big projects. Otherwise, roads and other services suffer. Healthcare and education also require this.

Governments need to provide travel choices that are sustainable. Roads are crowded, even smaller country roads. Reopened stations make travel faster and less stressful. Less cars would be on the road too.

Officials said the project’s plans look promising. Foord will keep pushing to reopen Cullompton station.