West Somerset Railway Chairman welcomes Council funding for improved main line connection and prospects of new boost to local tourism
West Somerset Railway (WSR) plc Chairman Dennis Taylor has warmly welcomed confirmation of the proposed £345000 partnership funding package offered by three local Somerset Councils and Railtrack to provide an improved connection between the heritage railway and main line rail network at Norton Fitzwarren.
"The fully signalled connection would not only increase WSR passenger numbers but also be a major shot in the arm for the local area's struggling tourism industry", said Mr Taylor
Coordinated by Somerset County Council, the overall scheme is being funded jointly by Somerset County Council, Taunton Dean Borough Council, West Somerset District Council, along with Railtrack and the West Somerset Railway plc.
Already firmly committed to working with main line rail operators in order to increase the number of through trains both to and from the national rail network, the WSR has a proven ten-year-plus record of financial success and has even run freight trains to facilitate recent sea defence works.
Mr Taylor continued, "Mindful of the funding pressures faced by our Local Authorities, their positive and visionary commitment to providing a fully signalled connection between us and the main line at Norton Fitzwarren is greatly appreciated and applauded by everyone involved with the West Somerset Railway.
"As yet, no firm date has been announced as to when this work might be completed. It should also be remembered that this funding package will not, of course, pass to the WSR, but direct to Railtrack, the operators of the main line rail network.
"The signalled connection would immediately improve or ability to accept excursion trains from all over Wales, England and even Scotland, and we expect it would significantly improve the significantly improve the economic picture in Minehead, West Somerset and Taunton Deane.
"Once the improved link is established, the West Somerset Railway would also anticipate working with Approved Railtrack Operators interested in introducing services to and from Taunton onto our line. Indeed, we very much welcome such services from these professional railway companies.
"In this respect, the WSR is already in communication with all the current rail franchise operators who would expect to pass through Taunton, and also plans to contact those who will be bidding for new franchises.
"The West Somerset Railway's own commitment to the main line connection is clearly demostrated by the expenditure of £100000 on the re-signalling of Bishops Lydeard, which is specifically designed to facilitate this type of through train operation.
"However, in the light of recent speculative press comments concerning the Taunton link, we must not jeopardise what is currently a highly successful tourist attraction for this area carrying over 150000 passengers every year.
"It has taken 24 years of hard work to build the WSR up to its present level and the WSR plc has to deal with the harsh realities of running a safe, professional railway not idealisitic pipe-dreams.
"The WSR has established a pre-eminent reputation in the heritage railway business and has lead the way in a number of areas, such as safety accreditation and freight haulage.
"Some time ago, I reminded our shareholders and critics that if running WSR steam or diesel trains into Taunton was easy then we would have done it years ago. Nothing has happened since then to make me or the Board of the West Somerset Railway plc change our minds, but the new connection certainly provides us with many more options and better opportunities.
"I am not the first to say that the West Somerset Railway is a block by block building operation - as each block is successfully incorporated so another can be put in place to help it grow.
"The WSR is now on the verge of of new era of continuing success from which everyone can benefit but, with the tragic events of this week in mind, it is worth remembering that safe operations must be our paramount concern and only professionally accredited operators can achieve that"
This page is not from the official WSR web site. Text extracted, more or less verbatum, from official published press release dated 23 October 2000