Cheltenham MP Calls for Final Swindon-Kemble Push

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood, attending today's Gloucestershire Rail Day at the National Waterways Museum, has called on all those involved in business and local government in the county to make one final effort to win the upgrading of the troubled Swindon-Kemble line. This single track railway is a major bottleneck for services between Gloucestershire and Swindon, Reading and London. Redoubling it would deliver more reliable and direct trains from Cheltenham Spa and other Gloucestershire stations.

After intensive lobbying from Martin and other local MPs, transport minister Andrew Adonis has backed the scheme and identified more than £50m of available funding, including £30m from the cancellation of the Westbury By-pass. At today's Rail Day, Network Rail confirmed their support, subject to final funding agreement and cost-benefit analysis. The final hurdle is the green light needed from South West regional authorities.

Martin said 'We have nearly won this battle. Upgrading this line will make both business and leisure travel to and from Gloucestershire easier and much more reliable. It will be good for Cheltenham, good for Gloucestershire, good for business and good for the environment. But we could still lose this vital improvement if we don't pull out all the stops right now. The money is running out fast at national level and this £50 million could evaporate fast if we don't grab it for Gloucestershire. '

Martin also rejected calls to put a new Gloucester Parkway station back on the agenda. 'Parkway is dead in the water and it should stay there. It would damage Cheltenham and Gloucester's current services and lead to more car use not less. I'm pleased that Network Rail confirmed today that it is no longer a supported scheme and not part of their future plans.'