Campaigners behind Glastonbury TrainLink say they are concerned a proposed trial bus link to Castle Cary station may not match the direct service they believe is needed for Glastonbury and Pilton.

Somerset Council's executive committee backed the draft Somerset Local Transport Delivery Plan on Tuesday, 11 March, which includes a trial bus service linking with Castle Cary station, though Pilton and Shepton Mallet.

However, Glastonbury TrainLink says the response did not specifically mention the campaign or the proposal it has put forward for a dedicated direct service.

The group says it understands other options are being considered, including adding journeys onto existing services. But campaigners believe those routes would be too indirect and infrequent to attract enough people away from cars, lifts, taxis or longer bus journeys.

TrainLink says its preferred option is a direct, dedicated, seven-day-a-week service linking Glastonbury and Pilton with Castle Cary station. The group argues that this would give the council-funded trial the best chance of success.

Campaigners say they want the trial to work and believe a well-designed service could benefit both residents and visitors, while also strengthening public transport links in the area.

Responding to those concerns, Cllr Richard Wilkins said: "The trial does indeed refer to links with Castle Cary station; these are very much part of an ongoing conversation, and we are currently taking the time to carefully explore and review best possible options."

Supporters of the campaign say the issue is important because a reliable station link could improve access to rail services for people living in Glastonbury and Pilton and make public transport a more practical option.

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