UPDATE: Gideon Amos challenges Transport Minister on Wellington Station funding

Gideon Amos MP, speaking on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, challenged the Transport Secretary in Parliament yesterday (Tuesday 8th July) to confirm that the Wellington and Cullompton Stations projects will be fully funded by the government.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said in a press statement earlier in the day that the long-awaited million scheme - estimated to cost up to around £50 million - had been given the green light.

And Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, then told the Commons: “I can, today, announce new rail stations at Wellington and Cullompton in the South West, which will bring significant benefits to local communities.”

Mr Amos replied that he welcomed the go-ahead which was “long overdue” especially following a succession of "entirely fictional rail and transport project budgets under the last Conservative government"

But he added: “Given the effects of inflation during the 12-month delay of the Wellington and Cullompton stations project, among others, can the Secretary of State confirm that that project will be fully funded and completed in the two years that it will take to construct the stations?

The Transport Secretary replied: “I can assure the Honourable Gentleman that I will do everything in my power to ensure that future transport projects are delivered on time and on budget.” She added: “I know that both towns have significant expansion plans, so those stations will be critical to giving local people access to jobs at major employment centres such as the one in Exeter.”

Steve Race, Labour MP for Exeter, also joined debate welcoming the positive impact of the new stations and crediting Mr Amos for his work to achieve the funding.

 Afterwards, Mr Amos said: “Confirmation of the funding from the Transport Secretary was hugely welcome but I’m disappointed that, at present, we are still waiting for an assurance that the two stations will be fully funded and, on the timescale.”

“I’m keeping the pressure up on the Department for Transport for these details and have called a meeting of the Metro Board which oversees the project, to ensure that, as a team, we hit the ground running".

Mr Amos and his fellow Liberal Democrat MP, Richard Foord – whose constituency covers Cullompton – have been heading up calls for the stations to be given the go-ahead.

Their campaign included taking Wellington residents to Parliament to confront the Rail Minister and forging a new cross-party group of MPs in support of the project.