LOCAL MP Gideon Amos has pressed the Government to increase rail investment in the Westcountry as nationalisation creeps slowly closer.

The Railways Bill, which is currently working its way through the House of Commons, will bring Britain’s railways back into public ownership, with privately-run franchises reverting to the Government as they expire.

As well as creating ‘Great British Railways’, the Bill aims to simplify and modernise ticketing, encouraging more people to use trains in light of a fares freeze included in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent Budget.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Amos welcomed the Bill but urged the Government to invest further in rural rail services, to ensure the region saw the full benefit of the sweeping changes.

Mr Amos also welcomed the rail fares freeze but said he ‘remained to be convinced’ the Bill would truly deliver for rural areas.

He said: “After increasing rail fares by almost five per cent last year, it is very welcome that the Government has frozen fares, something that my party has been asking for over the last seven years.

“That is really positive, as is the Government’s investment in the new station at Wellington, they deserve credit for that.

“However, I am concerned about the provisions in the Bill that potentially make open access a lot more difficult.

“Go-op rail wants to open a route from Taunton through to Wiltshire, which would be very important.

“We also want to see opportunities for future investment in railways, including reopening lines.

“There is a heritage line from Taunton to Minehead that should ultimately be provided with a proper rail service.

“If it were, the West Somerset Railway would become an open access railway on the same line.

“What is important to my constituents is not just seeing a new station like Wellington, but seeing a reduction in fares and an improvement in reliability.”