Plans for new Somerset railway station take big step forward
Chard Parkway could soon be a reality - now Network Rail has agreed to undertake a timetable study
Last updated 21st Aug 2023
Plans for a new railway station to serve communities on the Somerset-Dorset border have taken a big step forward after Network Rail agreed to undertake a new study.
Councillor Connor Payne, who represents the Chard South division on Somerset Council, has been spearheading a campaign to build a new railway station on the former Chard Junction station site near the village of Tatworth.
Mr Payne has been raising money from local residents and businesses for an initial business case into the ‘Chard Parkway’ station plans, which is expected to be submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) in the autumn.
Following recent discussions, Network Rail has agreed to undertake a timetable study, which will assess how workable it is for services to call at the new station in either direction.
Chard Junction railway station served the villages south of Chard for more than 100 years before it was closed in March 1966 as part of the infamous Beeching cuts
The former station lies on the mainline between London Waterloo and Exeter St. David’s, a short distance from the village of Tatworth and mere metres from the Dorset border.
The station used to provide a direct link to Chard via a branch line, but this was also scaled back and closed in the mid-1960s, with Chard Central railway station being turned into retail outlets and much of the trackbed on to Ilminster now forming the Stop Line Way cycle route.
The line is currently served by South Western Railway (SWR), which runs hourly services between London Waterloo and Exeter St. David’s, stopping at the nearby stations of Crewkerne and Axminster.
Mr Payne – the Conservatives’ shadow portfolio holder for the environment and climate change – attended a meeting in Basingstoke on August 9 to discuss the current and future opportunities around restoring rail services to the area.
The meeting was attended by Paula Haustead (head of strategic planning at Network Rail), Jaime Rockhill (lead strategic planner at Network Rail), Andrew Ardley (SWR’s regional development manager) and Jonathan Roberts, whose company JR Consulting Ltd is completing the initial business case.
As a result of the meeting, Network Rail has agreed to carry out a hypothetical timetable analysis of Chard Parkway – essentially gauging how feasible it would be for existing services to stop at the new station without causing either delays or disruption further down the line.
Much of the track between Exeter and Salisbury is single-track, with trains having to wait in passing loops to let other services through in the opposite direction.
Mr Payne said that this study could serve as a pilot project for similar studies, using the new ‘better value rail’ assessment tool developed by Network Rail, the DfT and the Office of Rail Regulation.
He said: “This meeting initiated by Network Rail and SWR officials shows the project is now being taken very seriously by regional rail stakeholders, and I am
delighted that a formal relationship has begun to develop the case for Chard Parkway.
“This gives us an opportunity to provide a convincing case to reopen the station. The timetabling analysis will enable Network Rail and SWR to see whether stopping trains could work with minimal disruption.
“Chard Parkway would enable local residents to find better job and learning opportunities, and in conjunction with additional active travel projects, residents of Chard and the surrounding villages would see a significant improvement to everyday life in the area.
“I’m glad I was able to share the case with Network Rail and SWR, and that
they are willing to support the analysis to the best of their ability. I remain incredibly optimistic.”
Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh, whose constituency includes the proposed station site, has thrown his support behind the campaign and welcomed this latest development.
He said: “I’m pleased that officials are looking into some of the detail of what the Chard Parkway reopening might entail.
“This project which would benefit people in Chard and beyond has my full support.”
The campaign has also attracted the backing of Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, shadow portfolio holder for transport and digital.
Mr Rodrigues – who represents the Bridgwater East and Bawdrip division – said: “I am pleased to see the momentum behind the opening of Chard Parkway.
“This initiative aligns with the vision Connor campaigned for when elected, and its inclusion in the ‘Better Value Rail’ DfT trial programme underscores its importance.
“The potential benefits to the local community, including improved connectivity and economic growth, are significant.”
To join the fight for the new Chard Parkway railway station, search for ‘Chard Active Travel & Transport Group’ on Facebook or email Connor Payne directly.