A First Great Western HST runs on to single track at Kemble.
MPs are confident that a £42 million project to double the line from Kemble in Gloucestershire to Swindon will now get the green light following a meeting with transport minister Lord Adonis.
Cotswold Conservative MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Stroud Labour MP David Drew and Cheltenham Liberal Democrat Martin Horwood attended the meeting to press the case for the scheme.
Afterwards Mr Clifton-Brown revealed that the transport minister had said he was “strongly supportive” of doubling the line, subject to the region funding a feasibility study and main project funding.
Lord Adonis said timing was crucial, as Network Rail was currently able – subject to funding – to proceed with the scheme immediately after the Cotswold Line redoubling project was completed.
The current timetable envisaged is for the project to start next year and be completed by December 2011.
Mr Clifton-Brown said: “This is by far the most positive development in this saga so far and provided the region promises to fund it, I now believe it will happen.
“This will provide a genuine hourly service from Cheltenham to London, linking to Gloucester, and a much-needed real economic boost to the county.”
Reader Comments:
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There is already a good hourly service on this route. For people who live along the line from Cheltenham to Swindon or Didcot Parkway, what is needed is a 30 mins service from 7am to 9 am and from 15.00 to 18.00. This would enable a line that is extremely busy at these times to be more effective.
Lynne, Stroud, England