COUNCIL bosses are “genuinely hopeful” of re-opening Wellington railway station.

Mark Edwards, deputy leader at Taunton Deane Council, has been drawing up a plan for a Metro rail service between Exeter and Taunton which would see the disused station re-open.

He met representatives of Mid Devon District Council, Devon County Council, Somerset County Council, the Local Enterprise Partnership and Network Rail about re-establishing the links.

Cllr Edwards said: “I was delighted to have this meeting and discuss the possibility of developing a plan for a Metro rail service.

“It was certainly clear that this idea has a great deal of potential, and it was pleasing that Network Rail was so helpful with the advice they gave to progress this idea.

“I’m delighted to be driving this initiative from within Taunton Deane and I’m genuinely hopeful that we can achieve our aims with a little focus and a positive attitude.”

As reported in the County Gazette last month, campaigners are pushing to re-open the station after a 49-year absence in the town.

The station was one of many in the UK which were axed in 1964 as part of the infamous Beeching cuts, and Wellington is thought to be the largest town on the Penzance to London Paddington line without an operating station.

“In Taunton and Wellington we have significant growth planned and one way to reduce the reliance on the car is to have a localised rail service,” said Cllr Edwards.

“I believe that this is the best opportunity in many years to make this dream and aspiration into a reality, and I will follow it through with our colleagues in the various bodies and organisations to try to make this happen.

“There’s a can do attitude which will make all the difference.”

Plans are also in the pipeline to re-open the station at Cullompton.