A SURVEY has shown the argument for re-opening Wellington railway station is “overwhelming”, according to the campaign leader.

Mark Formosa, prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Taunton, surveyed 5,500 homes about the railway earlier this year.

Mr Formosa says the results show people in the town have a strong desire to be reconnected to the rail network.

Mr Formosa said: “I have received a tremendous response of around 750 forms, many of which contained detailed comments and observations.

He said the survey showed “the overwhelming case for a new Wellington station.”

According to the survey about 76% of people in Wellington use a car as their main form of transport and only 1% use a train.

When prospective passengers were asked what they would use a new station for, 48% said they would use it for occasional day trips, 12% would use it for regular commuting to work and 10% for occasional commuting to work.

The stations people would most like to have a service to were: Taunton (535), Exeter (499), Tiverton (189), London (163) and Bristol (143).

Mr Formosa has written to the Rail Utilisation Strategy programme manager at Network Rail expressing his disappointment that the inclusion of a new station at Wellington was not included in current plans.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We welcome aspirations to help grow and improve the railway but they have to be tested and proven feasible.

“Organisations that are keen to invest in stations can refer to the industry’s station investment policy to pursue their aspirations outside the route utilisation strategy process.”