Glastonbury TrainLink campaigners have accused Somerset Council of "hijacking" their plan for a direct bus link to Castle Cary railway station.

The group says trustees were invited to a meeting at Somerset Council offices on Friday, 24 April, after months of trying to engage with the authority — only to be told an alternative scheme had already been chosen.

TrainLink said the only similarities with its proposal were the start and end points: Glastonbury town centre and Castle Cary station.

A Somerset Council spokesperson said the authority had looked closely at TrainLink's proposals, but believed the trial service needed to run via Street to attract visitors to Clarks Village and Glastonbury, and widen the catchment area.

The spokesperson said: "We have listened to the request and have delivered what we believe is the best possible solution whilst balancing the need to attract as many passengers as possible."

Campaigners criticise council route

Glastonbury TrainLink said Somerset Council listed a series of locations its proposal would serve, but had not published a route or run a trial bus.

The group claimed the council had "no idea of timings or suitability", while still saying the service would meet the train journeys listed in TrainLink's own timetables.

Trustees said their own proposal had included a detailed route and timetable, 6,000 information leaflets delivered to households along the route, public meetings, and a survey answered by more than 1,000 people.

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They also said elected officials representing residents along the proposed route had written to Somerset Council in support.

What TrainLink proposed

TrainLink says its proposal was for a direct service from Glastonbury town centre to Castle Cary railway station.

The group said the route would take around 30 minutes and use main roads past Pilton, the Glastonbury Festival site, Cannard's Grave and the Bath and West Showground.

Campaigners argue that this would provide a regular, reliable and direct link to the station, giving people enough confidence to leave their cars at home.

They say the service would be particularly important for people without independent transport to Castle Cary, but add that attracting car users would be vital to making any route financially viable.

What Somerset Council chose

Somerset Council's chosen route is different.

The council said the trial service will start in Glastonbury and run via Street, Butleigh and Keinton Mandeville before reaching Castle Cary railway station.

Daytime journeys will continue to Castle Cary town centre.

The route will also link at Keinton Mandeville with the Somerton Digital Slinky Bus service, allowing passengers from the Langport and Somerton area to connect with the Castle Cary station bus.

The council says this will widen the catchment area and help the trial attract more passengers.

But the chosen route leaves Shepton Mallet out, meaning the trial will not provide a direct Shepton Mallet link to Castle Cary station despite wider calls for better rail access across the area.

The key difference is that TrainLink wanted a more direct Glastonbury-to-station route along main roads, while Somerset Council has chosen a wider route aimed at serving Street, Clarks Village, Butleigh, Keinton Mandeville, Somerton and Langport connections.

Council says route will reach more people

Somerset Council said it recognised the demand for a transport link from Glastonbury to Castle Cary railway station, but had to provide "best value" with the funding available.

The service is due to operate seven days a week using a low-floor, fully accessible minibus, with buses timed to meet trains arriving and departing from the station.

The council said it was finalising the timetable and would welcome feedback before the service is registered, with the trial expected to start at the end of June and run until Wednesday, 31 December.

A spokesperson added: "It's vital local people make the most of this service and that everyone involved can do their best to support it during the trial period."

Group warns opportunity could be wasted

TrainLink said a regular, reliable, seven-day-a-week service was needed to give people confidence to leave their cars at home.

The group said the service could be life-changing for people without independent transport to the station, but warned that this alone would not make it financially viable.

It added: "Somerset Council has difficult funding decisions to make but this is an opportunity to pilot something new — a potential game-changer.

"Without any justification or public engagement/consultation, Somerset Council could be about to throw it away."

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