Regular rail passenger services to start (From Somerset County Gazette)

Regular rail passenger services to start

1:18pm Tuesday 26th June 2007 in News By Chris Alder

REGULAR through trains from Minehead to Bristol are to start next month, the first since the line was close more than 30 years ago.

The new service, scheduled to run three times a week, could see holidaymakers arriving at Minehead Station for the first time since the branch line between Taunton and Minehead was closed as part of the "Beeching Cuts" in January 1971.

But the news has been tempered with a warning that the service, which has attracted no subsidies, will have to stand on its own financially.

Paul Conibeare, general manager of the West Somerset Railway, said: "The service can only work if the trains are used by enough people to pay for their costs, which are considerable.

"No subsidy is being paid by Central or local government, so the trains have to stand on their own financially."

The trains are the outcome of several months of planning between The West Somerset Railway, Mainline Rail and Victa Westlink Rail, which will provide the train services, and Butlins, whose holidaymakers currently have to complete their journey from Taunton by bus.

Complex negotiations with Network Rail and the Office of the Rail Regulator have also taken place.

The trains will be worked by diesel locomotives and air-conditioned coaches provided by Mainline Rail, and will offer passengers from the Wales, the Midlands and North of England the opportunity to travel direct to West Somerset by changing at Bristol, while passengers from London and the South East, as well as those from the South West of England will be able to change at Taunton.

Mr Conibeare added: "Ever since the railway re-opened in 1976 it has been asserted that there is a strong local demand for trains to and from Taunton.

"This is an opportunity to assess the potential market and also to persuade visitors to the area the journey can be made by public transport."

See Thursday's County Gazette for full details.