NEW trains run by a new operator will provide services between Taunton, Frome, Weston-Super-Mare and Swindon, from next year.

Regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has given the go-ahead for new train services between the three towns from the end of 2025.

The permission is dependent on the new, co-operatively-owned operator Go-op having sufficient finance and rolling stock in place.

Go-op plans to operate return weekday and weekend services between Taunton and Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and Westbury, Taunton and Swindon, and Frome and Westbury.

It will compete with Great Western Railway (GWR) and plans to start in December 2025 at the earliest, and must do so no later than December 2026 in order to use the capacity ORR has granted.

As part of ORR’s decision, Go-op must provide evidence to ORR of the necessary finance to start operations, fund level crossing enhancements, and that the necessary rolling stock has been secured.

ORR’s decision requires Go-op to do this without delay, and no later than November 2025.

Go-op trains could be running from next year

Martin Jones, deputy director, access, licensing & international, said: “Our decision gives Go-op the opportunity to bring the first co-operatively owned train service and the first regional open access service in the UK.

“We think this novel proposal can benefit passengers across Somerset and Wiltshire.

“We will closely monitor Go-op’s progress towards meeting the financial and rolling stock requirements that are needed before it can bring the services into operation.”

For more on Go-op and the proposed services, log on to https://go-op.coop.