Setback for Wellington railway station funding hope

Hopes that a train station in Shropshire will get a share of an £18.7 million pot of funding for improvements have hit the buffers – but the battle for funding goes on.

Campaigners want to see Wellington Station revamped and wanted London Midland to apply to Network Rail for money to pay for the work. But the company has dashed those hopes.

It says Wellington does not meet the criteria for Network Rail funding.

Councillor Mike Ion, who represents the College Ward on Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "I want London Midland to show some leadership and ensure that the increasing number of rail passengers using Wellington station – more than 500,000 in 2010-11 – do not miss out on much needed investment that would fund major improvements to the station's facilities and infrastructure."

Councillor Ion said he particularly wanted to see funding for improved disabled access to both platforms from the nearby bus station, toilets provided on both platforms, a new heated waiting room on the Birmingham-bound platform and improvements to the free car park.

Gerard Burgess, partnerships manager at London Midland, said: "The major funding streams that are currently available for us to apply to are not particularly suitable for Wellington as in all cases there needs to be a priced scheme ready to deliver within the financial year specified by the fund."

He said Wellington did not meet the criteria for money from the Stations Commerical Project Facility fund and did not qualify for help from the National Stations Improvement Programme.

Mr Burgess said, however, that Access for All Mid-Tier funding was a potential source of cash but a fully priced and planned scheme would have to be submitted.