SIR — I am writing to appeal for public support for a train link between Minehead and Taunton.

At a meeting in July with representatives of the West Somerset Railway, the district and county councils, myself on behalf of the Minehead Chamber of Commerce, and other interested parties, it was made clear by the WSR that there would be no real change at WSR and that a fully working reconnection to Taunton was an unrealistic pipe dream.

This is despite constant demands for change from both the WSR’s travelling customers and the public of West Somerset as a whole.

Indeed the most frequently asked question on WSR platforms and on its trains is: “Why does the train not go all the way through to Taunton?”

There appears to be an intransigence and a stubborn attitude of “no change” amongst the “old guard” whenever this reconnection issue is brought forward for consideration.

This mindset is likely to prevail for the foreseeable future unless public opinion comes to the fore and starts to actively demand a considered change to the operating procedures presently found at WSR.

Remember, this railway line is a publicly owned and paid for asset, to be utilised by all the communities along its length.

A WSR reconnection to Taunton would provide one of the greatest boosts and opportunities for reversing the economic decline across West Somerset which has been occurring over the past five to ten years.

I hereby ask for everyone wanting a change to the current WSR status quo to please become pro-active and contact your MP, councillors and local leaders about this issue.

The Chamber’s email [email protected] can also be used to register your support. Thank you.

Alex de Mendoza,

Chairman,

Minehead Chamber of Commerce.