Highbridge and Burnham Railway Station could be upgraded thanks to a £30,000 funding injection.
The Town Council has submitted a bid for £30,000 towards a number of enhancements that aim to make the station “more inviting, user-friendly and comfortable for passengers.”
A decision is due on the outcome of the bid to Great Western Railway during January 2019, it emerged this week during a Town Council meeting on Monday (December 17th).
Cllr Peyer Clayton told Monday’s meeting he had attended a workshop with the Town Clerk to discuss the future of Sedgemoor’s railway stations.
He said: “It is clear there will be considerable growth in the near future due to increased local housing and potentially greater employment opportunities.”
“The station is important for commuters, local businesses and as destination station – with onward travel to Burnham, Berrow and Brean. In order to support the economic development of the area and local tourism, it is important to improve public transport. There are a number of issues at Highbridge rail station.”
Key issues at Highbridge railway station:
- distance from the closest bus stop
- insufficient car parking
- a lack of street lighting on the approach road
- a lack of disabled access
- a lack of ticket office or ticket machine
“Solutions proposed include improving the bus service, creating more parking spaces, installing street lighting, applying for £1-2m of grants for disabled access, and requesting a ticket machine.”
It has also been proposed that a Friends of Highbridge Station group is formed, or expand the Friends of Bridgwater Station group to cover Highbridge.
If the funding bid is successful, the work will include replacement lighting columns, new signage, a replacement cycle shelter and other improvements.
Cllr Phil Harvey said: “I’m very pleased to see some progress being made with this meeting. Having Sedgemoor District Council co-ordinate the meetings is useful. I hope the land behind the old Co-Op store can be developed as part of the improvements.” He added that a wider Highbridge regeneration group will be needed in time to oversee the changes.
