MP STEPS IN TO PREVENT CHARD JUNCTION LAND SALE

David Laws, MP for Yeovil Constituency, has welcomed a decision by the British Rail Residuary Board to withdraw from auction a plot of land near Chard Junction.

David Laws spoke to Doug Sutherland, Chairman of the BRRB, and the office pf the Secretary of State for Transport late on Monday afternoon, and persuaded them to withdraw the lot from sale.

The plot, due to be auctioned today [Tuesday 15 December] at a guide price of £30,000 - £50,000, could be used for the car park and other functions if Chard Junction station is reopened.

Somerset County Council was previously offered the land for £330,000, and will now have the chance to bid again at a lower price – but will have to do so by January or February.

David Laws MP said:

“This piece of land will be critical if Chard Junction station is to be reopened – which is part of the County Council’s Local Transport Plan.

“The car parks at Crewkerne and Axminster stations already operate at capacity, and our area needs a new station at Chard Junction with a large car park.

“I am pleased that the Government and the British Rail Residuary Board have thought again on this. The County Council must now act very urgently to buy this land, so that it will be available to rebuild the station. If they fail to do so now, they will only end up paying a much higher price later.”

ENDS.

Category: MP Press Releases