LOCAL MP Rebecca Pow has pledged to continue pressing for improvements for travellers using Taunton Railway Station.

Ms Pow, who represents the Wellington and Wiveliscombe areas, was instrumental in attracting £4.6 million funding for a complete upgrade of the station.

Now, she is concerned that the Great Western Railway (GWR) station is suffering issues around traffic congestion and flow, passenger waiting areas for buses, and pick-up and drop off points.

Ms Pow said she was working with GWR, Network Rail (NR), and Somerset Council to address the outstanding concerns.

She said: “I am working with the relevant partners to see further practical improvements to the station and surrounding area to ensure the service offered to train travellers is a good as it can possibly be.

“I am encouraged by the enthusiasm of all parties to make the travelling experience to and from Taunton Station a good one, and I will keep up the pressure for progress in this area.

“As a frequent traveller using the station on a weekly basis, I am keen to share my own experience with GWR as well as that of my constituents, and I also give special thanks to the station staff who I always find helpful and responsive in their dealings with the public.”

Ms Pow said it had been ‘a tremendous achievement’ to see the rail station upgraded together with a new multi-storey car park.

It was the result of effective partnership working between GWR, NR, and the former county council’s Conservative administration.

Ms Pow said: “The development is a sensitive combination of the modern with a restored listed building initially designed in the Victorian era by Brunel.

“Trenchard Way has now been upgraded, offering better access to the car park, funding having been secured through the Local Enterprise Partnership whom I worked closely with, and further improvements to the road network now allow for easier access for taxis and buses to drop off and pick up.

“However, following up on issues raised with me by constituents frequenting the station, I am working with the relevant partners to see further practical improvements.

“Much of this can be achieved by better signage and information about parking arrangements and other related services at the station.

“GWR and NR have given me assurances that they will be focusing on these improvements and will be working with Somerset Council highways to develop appropriate signage, in particular.”