A PETITION calling for sweeping changes in the way the West Somerset Railway is run, and organised by an anonymous protest group of its staff and volunteers, had this week attracted nearly 300 signatories, at least 60 per cent, it was claimed, from people working on the railway.

In an open letter to West Somerset Railway, West Somerset Railway Association and West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, the petition organisers claimed that the current structure of the railway was not fit for purpose and – like other heritage railways – it should be run by a charity.

The petitioners urged the boards of the three organisations “to come together as a matter of urgency” to:

n Retract the notice to quit Washford station issued to the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust and “heal the relationship with this valued member of the railway family”;

n Establish an independent review of the WSR’s organisational structure and make it fit for the future and accountable to volunteers and stakeholders;

n Recall the Partnership Development Group to establish a “one railway” business plan.

In reply, a WSR spokesman said on Wednesday that all the issues in the petition had already been sorted out or were in the process of being dealt with: “We don’t believe the initiators of the petition are current volunteers but are known to be vocal critics of the railway.

“Sadly, their attempts to damage the WSR’s reputation are counter-productive to the good of the railway and don’t help it by creating dissent. The WSR is fighting for its survival right now and is without any income, so needs money and support, not brickbats.”

In the open letter it was claimed that “recent negative actions have severely damaged the reputation of the railway at a time when public support and confidence is most needed to survive the significant challenges that COVID-19 presents.

“We cannot and should not allow the rollercoaster pattern of lurching from one crisis to another to continue.

“Over 1,000 volunteers give their time to keep the railway running and contribute to the economy of West Somerset. They are proud to work for the railway, but many have been upset by the aggressive stance adopted which has most recently brought the railway into public conflict with a local MP and the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust.”

For the full story, see today’s Free Press