WORK on a £40 million new train station in Somerset is in “the exciting phase”, according to a county MP.

Gideon Amos (Lib Dem, Taunton & Wellington) said despite a “litany of unfunded promises” from the previous Conservative government, the project was now back on track.

Initially approved, the station plan was put at risk amid financial problems, with the new Labour administration reevaluating all proposed projects.

However, following continued efforts by MPs including Mr Amos – and Devon MP Richard Foord – stations in Cullompton and Wellington are among the few still set to be built, a decision confirmed in July.

And Network Rail believes to station could be welcoming commuters in around two-and-a-half years’ time, he said.

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The update came after the MP welcomed Network Rail officials Bogdan Lupu, industry programme director, and Marcus Jones, route director, western, to Wellington to talk about the scheme.

“I was pleased to welcome Marcus, a senior director of Network Rail, and Bogdan to Wellington who updated me on their work reassembling the project team and planning out the first phases of the project,” Mr Amos said.

“The Conservative government left a litany of unfunded promises to build entirely new railways all around the country. When chickens came home to roost after the election, a review was inevitable.

“I’m delighted that – working with my colleagues on Somerset and Wellington town councils and with MPs across party – we succeeded in ensuring Wellington station will be one of the few around the country that will now be built.

“It’s disappointing we had to lose so much time while the money was being found, but we’re now in an exciting phase. If you’ll excuse the pun, the wheels are finally in motion.”

Comments on funding shortfalls from the previous government come after former Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow – whose constituency covered the Wellington station area – wrote in a letter to your Leveller of her work to bring the project forward.

She said it was “surprising that the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington (Mr Amos) failed to mention the many years of dedicated work carried out by my office with the support of the previous government to make the Wellington station a reality”.

However, Mr Amos said work was now under way on “final plans” for the scheme.

“Initial designs completed last year are now being reviewed and updated with work under way on the final plans,” he added.

Taunton & Wellington MP Gideon Amos, centre, during a visit to the station site with Network Rail officials

“Initial designs completed last year are now being reviewed and updated with work under way on the final plans.

“Once they’re completed, hopefully by the spring, we’ll get a full schedule for the construction phase.”

The location of the new station – on the main London-Penzance line – means work would need to be carried out in phases, the MP said, including at weekends.

“Contractors are still being re-engaged and therefore have not yet provided timings,” he added.

“I’ve also made inquiries regarding access to the proposed spine road from the Lidl car park following recent coverage in the press.

“I have been told that contractors are on site, and the work is due to be completed in the next couple of months.”