NEW railway stations – including one in Wellington – is one of the ideas suggested to reduce car traffic in Somerset in the county council’s new passenger transport strategy.

The strategy, which sets out the council’s aims for improving public transport across the county up to 2026, was discussed in detail in Taunton by the council’s policies and place scrutiny committee.

The strategy acknowledges efforts to open new stations in Wellington, the Somerton and Langport area, and Chard Junction but the council’s input is currently restricted to ‘providing advice to communities’, with no money being committed upfront.

Mike O’Dowd-Jones, the council’s strategic commissioner for highways and transport, said the council had requested that the case for re-opening a station at Wellington should be included in the new Great Western franchise, which could begin in 2022.

He said: “These [new stations] aren’t happening quickly and there is a big barrier to get over with putting in the early work. Wellington is the furthest along but it is important to support all these stations.”

Taunton Deane Borough Council has already pledged £40,000 towards a business case for a station in Wellington, as part of wider plans to improve the line between Taunton and Exeter.

Deputy leader Mark Edwards said: “The updated business case continues to support delivery of Wellington station through the Devon and Somerset Metro project.

“A brief is currently being constructed for the next stage of the work and meetings are planned over June and July to progress the project.”

Mr O’Dowd-Jones added that the county council was ‘closely involved’ in discussions over a possible rail link between Taunton and Bristol Airport but said ‘there is no specific option on the table at this stage’.

The council’s strategy will now go out to public consultation over a six-week period, before coming back to the cabinet for formal approval later in the year.