PUBLIC toilets and a car park next to Bishops Lydeard’s train station may be sold to the West Somerset Railway.

The railway has made a £50,000 offer to Somerset West and Taunton Council, which currently owns the properties off Station Road.

District council portfolio holder Cllr Mike Rigby, who lives in Bishops Lydeard, said: “Due to the location, the facilities are used solely by those using the railway.

“The toilets are in a poor condition and will need significant improvements, and the surface of the car park is unmade, in a poor condition, with pot holes.

“The offer is being considered and would be subject to a restriction on use to a public car park and public conveniences.”

Cllr Rigby said a restriction on charging for parking would also need to be made to prevent ‘unjust enrichment by any future owner’ unless the proceeds were used for the railway or a similar charity.

He said the council has received an external independent valuation which showed the railway’s offer price was higher than the open market value with use restrictions.

Cllr Rigby said because of the way the council recorded financial information it was difficult to calculate previous maintenance costs of the toilets and car park.

Operating costs of the public conveniences included cleaning, electric, and water charges, legionella testing and business rates, which were £32,274 for the past five years.

Legionella and water estimates for the past five years, based on 2021-22 charges, were in the region of £6,200, and estimate for bringing the electrics up to modern standard was £1,000.