Devising a route forward for the region's transport

SOMERSET could get safer roads, more trains and better links to local employment under a range of major transport schemes which have been put forward by local councillors.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local democracy journalist

The Peninsula Transport sub-national transport body brings together councillors from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, identifying key priorities to drive forward investment and economic growth in the south west.

The body has publishes its strategic implementation plan (SIP), outlining major transport schemes which could improve journey times across the West Country and bring new jobs to the area.

A similar strategy has been published by the neighbouring Western Gateway board, which includes upgrades to Somerset rail services first teased in January.

The SIP identifies two short-term projects which could be delivered within the next two-years, namely:

■Returning rail services to Wellington and Cullompton, offsetting new local housing growth along the Bristol to Exeter mainline (projected cost of £20-50m)

■Reopening the railway line between Taunton and Bishop's Lydeard, allowing connections between mainline Great Western Railway (GWR) services and the West Somerset Railway (WSR) heritage line (£1-5m)

The fate of the Wellington and Cullompton stations project is expected in the coming days with chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves MP making no direct reference to either site in her spending review statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday, June 11.

The government announced in May that it would not be providing the £137,000 requested by WSR and Somerset Council to develop a detailed business case for reconnecting Taunton and Bishop's Lydeard.

However, the Department for Transport (DfT) did say that it will hold further discussions with the council to see what improvements can be delivered at a local level.

In addition to these two schemes, the SIP singles out medium-term schemes which could be delivered within five years, namely:

■Reinstating the rail freight line to serve the Gravity enterprise zone near Bridgwater, providing transport of goods to and from the new £4bn gigafactory (£50m)