A PETITION to get plans on track for a new railway station in Wellington has been launched, but they could have already hit a halt as Somerset County Council says it won't be investing any money into the project.

Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow launched the petition last Thursday, at an open meeting which she organised and chaired to discuss the project.

Almost 200 people turned up to have their say on the possible station, and while she says the response was largely positive, fears were also raised about the feasibility of a railway station opening anytime soon.

Somerset County Council said while it would welcome the opening of a station in the town, significant budget pressures meant it couldn't invest in the work.

Ms Pow was joined on the panel by deputy leader of Taunton Deane Council, councillor Mark Edwards, Somerset County councillor Andrew Govier and Wellington Mayor Janet Lloyd.

Rebecca is part of a working group investigating the feasibility of opening a metro style rail station in the town, together with a similar station opening at Cullompton in Devon.

The group say this will open up connectivity between Taunton, Wellington, Cullompton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter.

Rebecca said: "I was absolutely over the moon at the turnout for the meeting and was delighted to see how passionate the community are about the potential for a station.

"The clear show of support suggests that we must move forward to the next phase if at all possible.

"This however, depends on encouraging the local stakeholders to commit funding in order to carry out the feasibility study.

"I urge all the local authorities involved to think very carefully about this as the economic benefits and environmental paybacks that will flow from a new station are obvious."

While Ms Pow said she received an "overwhelmingly positive" response when she asked people at the meeting to raise their hands to show support for the project, concerns were also raised about costs and the timescale.

Wellington Town cllr and Somerset County cllr Andrew Govier said: "There was a lot of positive response at the meeting.

"But I and many residents had concerns over getting the money together, even just for the feasibility study.

"£300,000 is needed and I think the feeling is, that it is a lot of money to spend to perhaps then come back and be told it isn't possible or can't happen.

"Swallowfields would also have to move before the railway station can be built, and while I think they are keen to move, that is going to take some time."

Rebecca explained at the meeting that all local authorities involved - Somerset County Council, Devon County Council, Exeter Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Mid Devon Council - are being encouraged to follow the example of TDBC, who have already committed £40,000, to fund their share of the next stage of the project.

This is the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP 2) feasibility study, that will look at engineering possibilities and timetabling.

The information means a bid can then be made to the Government's £20million New Station Fund.

Cllr Govier has requested to meet with Somerset County Council to see if they would commit any money to help fund the next stage of the project.

But a spokesperson for the council said: “We would welcome the opening of the rail station in Wellington which would undoubtedly benefit residents, support economic growth and offer an alternative to travel by car therefore freeing up capacity on the highway network.

“However, the estimated cost of constructing and reopening railway stations is extremely high.

"Whilst some initial feasibility work has been undertaken, much more is needed.

“Somerset County Council does not currently have funding available to undertake this work due to the significant pressures on its budget.

"We will continue to work with neighbouring local authorities to promote the case for greater central government investment in rail in Somerset and across the South West.”

Rebecca launched a petition at the meeting to further demonstrate support for the project and she will be giving Rail Minister, Claire Perry a full progress report.