DEPARTMENT for Transport (DfT) officials are to visit to discuss hopes of connecting the West Somerset Railway to the mainline in Taunton and concerns about plans to permanently close the B3191 Watchet to Blue Anchor road.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander in May rejected a £137,000 funding bid for a strategic outline business case to be prepared on the feasibility of the heritage line reconnecting to the Paddington to Penzance track.

But, Ms Alexander said she had asked officials to discuss the merits of the scheme locally.

Now, West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour has now persuaded DfT officials to travel to Somerset to talk about the idea and also to look at other transport issues in her Tiverton and Minehead constituency.

She will meet DfT Westcountry area lead Ben Kempner and other Civil Servants after Parliament returns from its summer recess, which is likely to be early next month.

Mrs Gilmour said: “Improving transport links is one of my top priorities because I know the impact that transport can have, particularly in rural areas.

“I am looking forward to working with the Department for Transport to make progress on linking the old heritage line at Bishops Lydeard to the mainline at Taunton.

“When bus transport on the number 28 is so unreliable, compounded by worsening traffic on the A358 to Taunton, a new rail link would be transformational for local people.

“I am working hard behind the scenes with my transport advisor, David Northey, and with MP Gideon Amos on this project.

“This meeting is also crucial in addressing other transport concerns in the constituency.

“Throughout this year, I have been raising local issues in Parliament, both through speeches and frequently writing to Government Ministers.

“Be under no doubt that I will also show Mr Kempner and his team all of the other transport issues that impact local people across the constituency.”