The 1st July saw a major step forward in plans to transform Melksham Railway Station with the community rail organisation TransWilts CIC entering into partnership with Wiltshire Council.
The group has signed a lease with the council to take over land around the station to develop additional car parking, a café and community hub and transport interchange.
The station, which is served by trains between Swindon and Westbury, has seen the number of passengers increase by more than 20-fold to 75,000 a year since services were improved at the end of 2013 – an increase which needs station facilities to match.
Paul Johnson opening the gates to Melksham Hub on Friday 3rd July.
In improving the car parking, charges will be introduced but set at a lower level than other station car parks in the area with any profits being invested back into the station facilities.
Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We’re delighted to work with TransWilts on this project to improve the facilities for rail users and the people of Melksham.
“This community partnership will help to improve public transport provision in Melksham, and indeed the rest of Wiltshire, as the TransWilts line links the county from Royal Wootton Bassett in the north to Salisbury in the south, and on to Swindon, London, and the south coast.”
Paul Johnson, Chairman TransWilts said: “We are grateful to Wiltshire Council for making the site available, enabling us to provide the Melksham Hub as the initial phase of an overall masterplan for the station.
“Construction is being funded with grants from local stakeholders, GWR and the Community Rail Network, and the work will commence this month.”
To find out more about the exciting plans for the station, please see Melksham HUB Website
