West Country MPs secure meeting with Transport Secretary over stations for Wellington and Cullompton

Speaking in the House of Commons last month, Mr Foord asked Heidi Alexander to reassure him that the Cullompton station project is “in no way disadvantaged, compared with those transport authorities in urban areas that have mayors?”

Liberal Democrat colleague, Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton & Wellington was present at a meeting last week to promote the joint Wellington-Cullompton rail project, which would involve the development of both stations.

Speaking with Heidi Alexander on 6 February, Mr Amos emphasised the value of the joint Wellington-Cullompton railway station project. While Ms Alexander said she was not able to make any commitments until the Government’s Spending Review had concluded, she was positive in recognising the strength of the case for the project.

Richard Foord said:
“It was very disappointing to learn last summer that the Conservative Government had not identified funding for stations that they had indicated could be built. This disappointment has to be seen in the light of the hard work over many years of many councillors at Mid Devon, of the previous MP, Neil Parish, and members of the community, to press the case for Cullompton station.  Lately, we have been working on these developments with GWR and Network Rail too, at a Board that Gideon and I co-chair every three months.”

Last autumn, Richard worked with local councils to compile data on the business case. This was after he met with the Rail Minister and former Chair of Network Rail, Lord Peter Hendy. Lord Hendy asked for the most compelling information that Richard could gather that might bolster the case for the station.

Richard continued:
“The case for reopening the railway station in Cullompton would be strong, even if there were no plans for more housing. It is needed already to address the existing traffic problems at junction 28 of the motorway, as residents commute to and from Exeter for work. Yet to meet the demands of significant housing growth over the next few years, this railway station is essential.

“I believe that there must be a railway station installed before the development of 5,000 houses at the so-called “Culm Garden Village”

The Government must get into the practice of providing appropriate infrastructure before permitting large-scale housing projects, or else we will end up with chaos, particularly on the roads. This applies in relation to other essential services too, such as in healthcare and education.

“In addition to appropriate infrastructure, governments also have a duty to provide sustainable travel options. Our roads are extremely busy; even our country lanes seem to have more cars on them these days. The return of former railway stations with reliable services would help take cars off the road and get people to their destination faster, and with less stress.

“We were pleased Ms Alexander’s officials confirmed that the project had strong credentials. I will continue to press decision-makers for the re-opening of Cullompton railway station.”