The West Somerset Railway has just been voted the 'Railway of the Year' in the National Railway Heritage Awards, but its future success is overshadowed by West Somerset District Council's plans to build on land next to the railway station at Minehead.

"The railway is being squeezed, with every inch of spare land to be developed, right up to the lineside fence," said Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Railway. "Minehead station will be stripped of much of its car parking, and despite months of discussion, the Council has failed to come up with a plan to provide better and safer access to the station. We have worked tirelessly to make the West Somerset Britain's premier tourist line, and each year we have brought ever more visitors to Minehead. We need to be able to expand further, and we are deeply disappointed by the Council's lack of support."

Plans being prepared by West Somerset District Council to relocate their offices at Minehead involve building on the Mart Road car park currently used by hundreds of rail passengers and visitors throughout the season. Associated plans for development would see loss of remaining car parking for rail passengers at the Vulcan Road/Seaward Way car parks, leaving only 62 'pay & display' car parking spaces in Station Yard – just 20% of the required number.

The WSR is also keen to work with local authorities to improve access to the station and would favour a proper transport interchange, to be ready for the increased number of through trains from the National Rail network, made possible by Somerset County Council funding to upgrade the main line connection. This was confirmed just last week, as the Department for Transport approved funding for the North West Taunton Package, including constructing a bridge to replace Silk Mills level crossing.