A £1.2M scheme to make improvements to Bridgwater railway station has been further delayed, according to the district council.

Bridgwater’s station is the second busiest in the county of Somerset, handling more than 346,000 passengers per year according to the Office for Rail and Road.

The Bridgwater Major Transport Infrastructure Board, which was created by Somerset County Council, announced details in August 2018 of a £1.2M scheme to improve the station, funded by money from the Hinkley Point C programme.

The scheme, being led by Great Western Railway (GWR), was due to begin in January but was delayed until “late-spring 2019” due to high staff turnover at both the operator and Network Rail.

Now the scheme has been pushed back again, with Sedgemoor District Council confirming the improvements will not be completed until the middle of summer.

Councillor Mike Caswell, portfolio holder for transport, gave an update to a full council meeting in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (March 20).

He said in his written report: “The project continues to experience delays although it is moving forward.

“It is important to remember that we are part funders of this vital project.”

The scheme will improve car parking provision at the western entrance of the station, enhance the current links to other public transport, and provide a pedestrian link to Bridgwater & Taunton College on Bath Road.

The improvements are part of the promotion of Bridgwater’s ‘Celebration Mile’, which runs from the station to the docks via the town centre.

Mr Caswell added: “Detailed designs have been submitted to Network Rail and we are awaiting their approval.”

“The new completion date is August 2019. Every effort is being made to advance this project.”