PLANS to reopen Wellington railway station are beginning to build up steam.

A detailed report will be presented to the Metro Steering Group early next year which will decide the next move.

Wellington railway station was one of more than 2,000 stations axed when it closed on October 5, 1964, in the Beeching cuts.

The station originally opened when the line reached the town on May 1, 1843.

The plan to re-open it would also see the station in Cullompton open again.

Cllr Mark Edwards, deputy leader at Taunton Deane Borough Council, said: “Since the timetabling was completed which confirmed the feasibility, the business case has been worked on to take the project to its next stage to better assess patronage, level of usage and the costs.

“It is complicated as it’s not purely about re-opening Wellington railway station but also a new station at Cullompton and the wider improvements, and how that integrates with the wider network including the new faster services being introduced next year.

“This has meant the process has taken a little longer than we would have liked. However, it’s a partnership between the councils, Network Rail, Great Western Railway and the Local Enterprise Partnership, so the right people are involved to make it a reality and it is progressing.

“The processes are dictated by the Governance for Railway Investment Projects which will guide the group on how to further manage the project.”

Wellington councillor Bob Bowrah has been championing the project on behalf of the town council.

He said: “Although I am frustrated the next meeting of the group has been put back to the New Year. I have given the town clerk the latest survey figure and will be updating the council at the first opportunity.”