A bold vision of the future for Minehead that would see steam locomotives being turned around on the seafront; the recreation of an attractive traditional Edwardian station yard, plus a purpose-built transport interchange are set out in proposals announced by the West Somerset Railway (WSR) plc today.

The railway’s own vision for Minehead, which it hopes will eventually form an attractive centrepiece of the town’s current regeneration plans, would not only see big improvements for train passengers, visitors and local residents, but also would bring new vitality and better transport facilities for everyone around the station area.

The WSR’s vision for the Minehead station area forms part of the railway company’s own ambitious ten-year plan which will see the 20-mile line expand significantly in almost every way up to 2015. The Minehead plans include:

 · A Travel Centre for the station providing national rail bookings as well as WSR tickets, and including a local Tourist Information Office.
 · A major new visitor attraction through the installation of a turntable at the seafront end of the station which would see arriving steam locomotives being turned around in front of admiring crowds.
 · A transport interchange to provide easy access between train, bus, coach, heritage bus, taxi and the seafront road train that links to Butlins, including better facilities for passengers with disabilities.
 · Restoration of a classic station yard frontage with quality paviours, street furniture and planters, plus provision for better facilities for access by the many disabled travellers who visit the railway.
 · Safe access to the seafront and the Jubilee café protected by traffic calming measures.
 · Restoration of the historic station canopy covering the platforms.
 · Increased car parking to cater for 320 visitors’ cars at peak times, as well as the requirement for car parking for the 100+ staff who work at the station on peak days.

The development plans reflect the railway’s success and growing passenger numbers, which are expected to rise further by a third from 187,000 to 250,000 passengers a year by 2015.

Moreover, in addition to more volunteer workers, the railway expects the numbers of full and part-time staff involved in running the line (not all employed by the Company) will rise to around 60, mainly based at Minehead with more skilled engineering, IT and operational posts required.

Also, many more through trains will be running from the main line network to Minehead once the Norton Fitzwaren resignalling work is completed, bringing even more visitors to the town but without putting additional strain on the busy A 358.

The WSR’s plans for Minehead form the final piece of a significant investment jigsaw, with development at either end of the line matched by investment in the line itself, plus its historic locomotives and rolling stock.

The WSR’s comprehensive plans for the development of the whole railway are now in place, but most notably:

Over £1,000,000 is being invested by the Company and the Association just for locomotive purchase and restorations to meet the railway’s growing traffic needs of the next decade. New telecommunications cable laying is under way along the railway’s route to improve the line’s traffic capacity and enhance the traditional signalling system. Investment in additional steam locomotives is under way, and in rolling stock is planned to accommodate the greater number of passengers forecast. Further development at Bishops Lydeard is planned, and the West Somerset Railway Association has just completed purchase of a 33 acre site at Norton Fitzwarren, at the point where the WSR meets the Great Western Main Line, to secure space for the further development of the railway at that end of the line.

Commenting on the railway’s vision for the Minehead station area, WSR plc Chairman, Chris Austin said:

“We are setting out a vision for Minehead station today as our contribution to the debate on the future development of the Minehead Seafront Regeneration Area.

“The railway is at the very hub of that development, and we are working with Somerset County Council and West Somerset District Council to ensure that our vision can become a reality.

“Partnership is the key to this, and we will be investing over a million pounds in the purchase and restoration of locomotives to serve the line for the next decade, and more in restoring Minehead’s historic station roof, and improving and enhancing the fabric of the railway.

“We are confident that the two authorities will respond positively to our vision of the future and rise with us to meet the challenge of delivering it.”