Friday 29^th January

“I was pleased to hear from the Minister for Transport at Oral Questions in the House yesterday afternoon that his Department will soon be in a position to clarify when the doubling of the Swindon-Kemble railway line will take place, and what the costs will be,” said North Wiltshire MP James Gray this morning.

“I asked him to bear in the mind the interests of my constituents in Minety, who are concerned about the volume of rail traffic through the village, and who are seeking local improvements like the updating of the culvert running through the railway embankment.”

“The Minister also wrote to me on 18th January in response to my enquiries on behalf of my constituents in Minety about what the implications will be when the line is doubled. He was not able to indicate how many additional trains will pass through the village, but I will certainly continue to press him for answers on this when more information becomes available.”

“The Minister’s letter indicated that Network Rail is currently considering whether it can deliver the redoubling of the line within the sum of £45m, and I will certainly continue to campaign for local improvements for Minety as the plans are firmed up with the Department for Transport.”

Click here to see James's question to the Minister in full.

Click here to see the Minister's letter of 18^th January.