Written question asked by Lord Berkeley (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Adonis (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 2008.

Railways: Land

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether BRB (Residuary) Ltd consulted Somerset County Council about its proposal to sell land at Frome railway station; if so, how; and why, following the Council's expression of interest in purchasing that land for transport use, BRB (Residuary) Ltd did not proceed with negotiations.

Answer: The former east goods yard at Frome was released for sale to Network Rail in 2003 but in 2007, following protracted negotiations, it declined to purchase the site. A further consultation was carried out in 2007 and, following representations from Somerset County Council and Mendip District Council, BRB (Residuary) Ltd through its property review group agreed to a conditional release of the site to the local authorities. Following correspondence with Mendip Council, the council replied on 7 May 2008 confirming that neither it, nor Somerset County Council, was in a position to fund a purchase. In consequence the land was released for open market sale and sold in November 2008. Two other sites in Frome owned by the company have been released in recent years following consultation and sold on the open market. A third, part of the former west goods yard, has been retained for possible transport use.

Secondary information