WORK is underway on a new road that will eventually lead to a new £20 million railway station in Wellington.

Bloor Homes has broken ground to start construction of a spine road on land west of Nynehead Road, which will not only lead to a new 178-home development, but also the new train station.

The ceremony was attended by MP Gideon Amos (Lib Dem, Taunton & Wellington), who cut the first turf to get work underway, alongside and senior members of Bloor Homes’ Exeter team.

The developer will deliver access to the new station, its car park, transport interchange and a ‘station square’ public open space – featuring thed original apex of the Wellington Monument – with the existing access road to the Lidl supermarket being extended to the north-west.

Mr Amos has been at the forefront of a long-running campaign for the new Wellington station, along with former Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow, which will see rail services return to the town for the first time in more than 60 years.

Contractors are under obligation to complete the route and the foundations of the ‘station square’ by September, while the new train station is expected to be operational by late-2028.

As well as the station square and mobility hub, the Bloor Homes development will include nine acres of open space and play facilities, and two acres of employment land.

Walking and cycling routes will also be created along the length of the spine road and the western boundary towards the B3187 Taunton Road.

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Bradley Davison, regional managing director for Bloor Homes’ Exeter region, said: “Having completed the purchase of the new site in Wellington with outline planning consent for up to 200 homes in August last year, it has only taken six months to reach such a significant point.

“This is thanks to the ongoing support for the project from Mr Amos, a positive collaboration with the council to deliver the town’s housing needs alongside the long-awaited station access, and a concerted team effort.

“The new development of 178 two-, three- and four-bedroom quality, energy efficient homes at our new Lillebonne Place development in Wellington will continue our long and proud association with the town, following the previous success of our nearby Longforth development. It’s great to be back in this vibrant location to help deliver the infrastructure and investment Wellington needs to thrive.”

How the new Bloor Homes development is set to look

MP Mr Amos added: “I am delighted to be breaking ground for the building of the access road to Wellington getting its station back over 60 years after its closure by Harold Macmillan’s then Conservative government.

“Last year, when station projects were being cancelled around the country it was Wellington residents and key town councillors coming out in force, which helped me build multi-party support from across the West Country and win the funding that will see a new one come forward.

“Today, thanks to locally based Cherwyn Developments and to Bloor Homes and my colleagues on Somerset Council, our town is very much on the road to its new station.”

The two acres of employment use land will be located nearest the station, and for more information about the new homes, visit bloorhomes.com.

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