A DECISION is expected shortly on a vital grant application which could bring plans to re-open a railway station in Wellington a step closer.

The Devon and Somerset Metro Group is hoping to receive up to £50,000 for feasibility study work as it firms up a business case for the project.

The money would come from the Government’s £500 million ‘Beeching Reversal Fund’, aimed at helping towns such as Wellington cut off from the railway network in the 1960s.

The metro group brings together Somerset and Devon county councils with Somerset West and Taunton Council and Mid Devon District Council as well as their local MPs Rebecca Pow and Neil Parish, to promote the re-opening of stations in Wellington and Cullompton.

Town councillor Marcus Barr, who represents Wellington on the metro group, said it was vitally important the funding bid was successful.

Cllr Barr said: “I am really passionate about this because bringing back a railway station for Wellington is going to be such a good thing for the future of the town as we continue to grow and prosper.”

If successful, the funding would be put toward transport and economic studies and delivering an initial business case.

Once a business case was accepted, it would open the way to attract further substantial funding to develop the project with a view to delivering it.