Cullompton Railway Station scheme knocked back (From Mid Devon Star)

Cullompton Railway Station scheme knocked back

6:00pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News

A SCHEME to apply for funds to reopen Cullompton Railway Station has hit the buffers before it ever left the platform.

A community leader in the town had suggested bosses at Devon County Council apply to Government for a share of a national pot to revamp the station.

However, Mid Devon District councillor Nicki Woolatt’s call was knocked back after county bosses said the frequency of trains through the station meantit was not eligible for the money.

Cllr Woolatt had said in a motion: “Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, has recently announced £20million has been set aside to invest in new railway stations.

“Under the plans the Government will pay 75% of the cost of building new stations or resurrecting ones which were scrapped decades ago.

“Devon County Council [should] take steps to move plans forward and bid for Government funds to assist in the reopening of Cullompton Railway Station.”

However, shortly after the call was made, it emerged the New Stations Fund can only be used for short-term projects, of which Cullompton cannot be classedbecause itisnot servicedbya regular train operator.

A spokesman for the county council toldThe Star: “As a longer-term aspiration, the potential for a station in Cullompton is being considered.

“The case for it along with additional local services will increase as development takes places both in the town and elsewhere on the corridor, including east of Tiverton.

“But before a station can be provided at Cullompton we need suitable local train services that can serve it.

“This need for better connections on the main line between Taunton and Exeter has been raised with the Department for Transport in discussions on the now aborted Greater Western Franchise tender.

“We will be seeking to secure these services through the next franchise, which is expected to commence in 2015.”