TransWilts Community Rail Partnership (TWCRP) is pleased to see the publication of the first stage in developing a strategic plan for rail in Wiltshire.
The Wiltshire Rail Strategic Study, developed by Network Rail and key stakeholders, including TWCRP, outlines a set of proposals to form the basis of strategic rail planning in Wiltshire. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0j8p2d85ndo The next stage in this work is to test out the proposals before identifying the most feasible projects to take forward backed by robust business cases.
We are delighted the report is highlighting the need to enhance local services on the TransWilts route via Melksham and to upgrade track and signalling infrastructure, such as in Westbury and Melksham to accommodate more services and improve connections at Westbury. We are committed to increasing the number of people using rail and other means of public transport and so the inclusion of existing proposals to build new stations at Devizes and Corsham is very welcome. Whilst building stations is a costly business, we support both stations to assist the economic gains to be had from population growth and business interest in those areas as well as the environmental benefits in reducing carbon emissions.
TransWilts and its partners will continue to contribute to the work to create a deliverable strategic plan for rail in Wiltshire. We welcome this first stage and its proposals to improve connectivity and transport links both within Wiltshire and to key locations beyond the County.