The plan to reopen in Cullompton railway station is “on track for success” with the announcement of £5 million of development funding in the Government’s autumn budget.
At the Autumn budget this week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP, announced £5 million of development funding to advance plans to reopen railway stations at Cullompton and Wellington.
Neil, who co-chairs the Devon and Somerset Metro Group alongside his parliamentary neighbour Rebecca Pow MP (Taunton Dean), has been working hard to put across to Ministers the potential benefits of the project for the local area and economy. Neil and Rebecca both met with the Chancellor last month to discuss the proposals and greatly welcome HM Treasury’s backing for the bid.
Mid Devon District Council and Somerset West and Taunton Council have worked jointly on the bid, alongside Cullompton Town Council, Wellington Town Council, Devon County Council, Somerset County Council, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Network Rail and Great Western Railway.
The Department for Transport will deliver the funding as part of the #RestoringYourRailway fund, and the plans will now progress to the next stage of development.
Neil said:
“I am absolutely thrilled the Chancellor has given his backing to reopen Cullompton railway station.
The extension of the Devon Metro will help cut congestion on our roads, slash commuter times for students and workers, and create exciting new opportunities for local businesses. Construction is set to start as soon as 2024 under the current proposals.
As the Devon and Somerset Metro Group, we have been working hard to put our case to Government. And with the £5 million of development funding secured, the project is on track for great success.
Extensive work has been carried out by our local authorities to make this project a reality, and I wish to thank them all for their efforts to date.”
You can view a Mid Devon District Council press release here regarding the announcement here : https://www.middevon.gov.uk/government-announces-support-for-new-train-…