New Swindon to Taunton rail firm seeks investment

Go-op is aiming to start services before 2026 between Swindon and Taunton

A new rail company has began crowdfunding in a bid to become the first "cooperatively owned" operator in the UK.

Go-op has been given permission to run services between Taunton, Somerset, and Swindon, Wiltshire, as an "open access" operator.

Its services will call at smaller stations such as Melksham, Frome and Castle Cary, in a region where the major operator is Great Western Railway (GWR).

The chair of the firm, Alex Lawrie, said it would be a "significant task" to secure the £2.8m needed to get services running.

Mr Lawrie said the group had "demonstrated our resilience in navigating challenges to reach this point".

"Now, we confront the significant task of securing investment not only for a dependable service but also for enhanced safety measures," he said.

"We must guarantee safe track operations and ensure that our trains are operated by expertly trained professionals who prioritise passenger safety."

People interested in investing could buy "community shares", Go-op said.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said the decision to approve Go-op's services meant the "opportunity to bring the first co-operatively owned train service and the first regional open access service in the UK".

As part of the approval with the ORR, Go-op has to prove it has funding in place, as well as securing rolling stock.

The firm is required to do this "without delay" and at the latest within a year.

Martin Jones, of the ORR, said: "Our decision gives Go-op the opportunity to bring the first co-operatively owned train service and the first regional open access service in the UK.

"We think this novel proposal can benefit passengers across Somerset and Wiltshire.

"We will closely monitor Go-op's progress towards meeting the financial and rolling stock requirements that are needed before it can bring the services into operation."