PLANS to link West Somerset Railway to the mainline network have been derailed for at least two years by the urgency of a billion-pound safety upgrade following the recent fatal train crashes.

Railway company Railtrack has restated its commitment to install new signals at Bishops Lydeard to connect the West Somerset Railway with the mainline at Taunton.

But it said yesterday (Thursday) that the work was unlikely to go ahead before 2002-03 - and that could send some of the funding down the drain.

A statement issued by the company said: "Railtrack had been hoping to carry out the work at the same time as installing the safety critical Train Protection Warning System that was committed to last year following the accident at Ladbroke Grove.

"Unfortunately, the projects do not dovetail and we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the WSR work until at least 2002-03.

"We understand that this may put the scheme in jeopardy."

There had been fears that the signalling project might have to be shelved after Railtrack was ordered to embark on a £14.9 billion five-year rail upgrade plan to improve safety and performance.

But earlier this week, a spokesman for Railtrack said the signalling scheme at Bishops Lydeard would not be affected by the five-year plan announced in the wake of the latest fatal rail crash at Hatfield.

And Somerset county Cllr Tim Carroll, the executive board member responsible for the environment and transport, stressed support for the project.

"We are committed to this project come what may," said Cllr Carroll.

The £350,000 project is funded by Somerset County Council, West Somerset District Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Railtrack. It is also included in the region's local transport plan.

Cllr Carroll said the West Somerset Railway project may well be linked in with the plan to bridge the railway at Silk Mills in Taunton where the existing level crossing causes tailbacks and holds up ambulances heading for Musgrove Park Hospital

"The two projects enhance one another and we are now endeavouring to go ahead with them both in 2002-03," said Cllr Carroll.

"I would feel wary of letting the West Somerset Railway project go on alone, but I would reiterate that all three local authorities remain committed to this particular project.

"We can see the benefits to West Somerset, the railway and, specifically, to Minehead if we can get so many extra trains of tourists into the area."

Plans by Taunton and Minehead Rail Link Company's plans to introduce a regular service using diesel, multi-unit locomotives have already been well received by Somerset County Council.

However, the question of whether the extended service should be limited to tourism trains or to offer opportunities to commuters has proved a vexed one.

District councillors have already said that they hoped to see a return to commuter services between Minehead and Taunton.

And TMRL chairman John Walker insists the line could be used for that purpose immediately the signalling work was completed.

But WSR chairman Dennis Taylor said a commuter service was not a viable option. Whatever happened, he said, nothing could be done to jeopardise the success of the tourist railway.

Cllr Carroll said the in-depth West Somerset Strategic Access study should ascertain the demand for a commuter train service between Minehead and Taunton.

He said: "We are not discounting it, but we feel a lot more work needs to be done to find the actual need for a commuter service."

Mr Taylor welcomed Railtrack's confirmation of the £345,000 signalling package and said it would bring more passengers into Minehead from all over Britain - but as holidaymakers, not commuters.

He said: "It has taken 24 years of hard work to build the West Somerset Railway up to its present level and the company has to deal with the harsh realities of running a safe, professional railway, not idealistic pipe-dreams.

"The West Somerset Railway is now on the verge of a new era of continuing success from which everyone can benefit.

"But with the recent tragic events at Hatfield in mind, it is worth remembering that safe operations must be our paramount concern and only professionally accredited operators can achieve that."

He said representatives were already in talks with prospective rail franchise operators and the signalled connection would immediately improve WSR's ability to accept excursion trains from all over Britain.

"We expect it would significantly improve the economic picture in Minehead, West Somerset and Taunton Deane.

"Once the improved link is established, the West Somerset Railway would also anticipate working with approved Railtrack operators interested in introducing services to and from Taunton on to our line."