AFTER much bad blood a West Somerset Railway row has finally been resolved with a new agreement over the freehold for the heritage line.

A bitter feud broke out between West Somerset Railway PLC and the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) put in rival bids for the freehold of the line to Somerset County Council in 2014.

The top council chief overseeing the sale of the West Somerset Railway, Cllr David Huxtable, came under fire after being accused of 'cosying up' to the West Somerset Railway Association.

Eventually SCC was forced into a U-turn and decided to continue leasing the railway to WSR PLC, while WSRA has undergone dramatic changes with a new board being installed after pressure from members.

This week SCC and the WSR PLC announce the execution of an agreement to secure the railway’s freehold on which the Heritage and tourist railway operates, were it ever to be offered for sale by SCC in the future.

The new agreement ensures that if Somerset County Council were to change its current position and consider sale of the freehold, requiring a new decision following due process, an offer for sale must first be notified to the WSR PLC, the current leaseholder, and the Partnership Development Group representing all the members of the railway family and local authorities, which was established during 2014.

The agreement means that the freehold must be offered to the ‘railway family’ and its members.

Although individual parties could consider a bid, the PDG would be asked to recommend a bidder in the best interests of the railway.

The Heritage Railway Association, and Office of Rail and Road, the regulator responsible for railways, would be consulted and asked to endorse any proposals.

Only once this had been completed, and if SCC’s evaluation of the bid found it acceptable, would the sale proceed. If not suitable, the matter would be referred back to PDG to consider the matter again.

John Irven, chairman of the WSR PLC said: “I am extremely pleased that after a deal of uncertainty about what might happen to the freehold in future, this agreement ensures it will be retained by SCC or if were to be sold would remain within the WSR railway family to its agreed solution.

"The ‘triple lock’ of PDG, HRA and ORR endorsement, would ensure that we would have an appropriate monitoring of any proposed sale and that it would be in the best interest of the West Somerset Railway.

"I pay tribute to the SCC leadership for entering into this agreement, and all the members of PDG for giving it their ringing endorsement.”

Frank Courtney, chairman of the West Somerset Railway Association, said: “The WSRA has been fully consulted and involved over this matter, and has enthusiastically supported and endorsed the agreement through our membership of the PDG.

"I believe it demonstrates the commitment of us all to work together to achieve what is best for the WSR.”

David Hall, SCC deputy leader, cabinet member for Business Development, and representative on PDG said: “We are pleased to have secured this agreement with the WSR family, which confirms that Somerset County Council has and will continue to be supportive of the WSR as a key heritage and tourist attraction of enormous benefit economically to this area, and ensure its interests are protected and supported going forward.”