New train services will be running between Swindon, Taunton, and Weston-Super-Mare next year.

The rail regulator has given the go-ahead for the extra routes and set approval conditions to ensure the co-operatively owned operator has enough money and rolling stock in place before its launch.

The Go-op Co-operative plans to operate return weekday and weekend routes between Taunton and Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and Westbury, Taunton and Swindon, and Frome and Westbury.

This will be the first co-operatively owned train service and the first regional open access service in the UK.

It will compete with the public service operator Great Western Railway, which already has several services in place around the county and wider region.

Go-op plans to start in December 2025 at the earliest and must do so no later than December 2026 in order to use the capacity that the independent safety and economic regulator for Britain’s railways, ORR, has granted.

As part of ORR’s decision, Go-op must provide evidence to the regulator that proves it has the necessary finance to start operations, fund level crossing enhancements, and that the amount of rolling stock that is required has been secured.

ORR’s decision requires Go-op to do this without delay, and no later than November 2025.

In making this decision, the regulator says it has weighed up the beneficial aspects of this application in relation to competition and the introduction of new, better journey opportunities for passengers.

ORR has also taken into account the government’s support for the application and decided that all these considerations should be given greater weight than what is expected to be a very limited impact on government funds and train service performance.

Martin Jones is the deputy director of access, licensing and international at ORR.

He 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.”

Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins welcomed the approval of the new co-operative train network.

He said: “Excellent news from Go-op Co-operative!

“Delighted to hear that they have been approved for a new route from Swindon! Great to see a Co-op getting approved!”

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