Campaigners fighting for the electrification of the railway line from Newbury to Great Bedwyn are one step closer to their goal after it was announced that the financial benefits of the scheme add up.

But the news came as a blow to Pewsey commuters because electrification plans for the line from London Paddington will not be extended to their station.

The present Great Western electrification plans stop at Newbury, but campaign groups have been pushing to get the scheme extended as far as Westbury.

The Department for Transport appointed consultants Arup to carry out a review of four other options, with three including an extension to Westbury.

But during a closed meeting involving local MP Claire Perry, passenger groups and town and parish councillors, Arup announced that electrification as far as Bedwyn was the only option that offered good value for money.

Mrs Perry said: “It was a very positive meeting. It is clear that there is a good understanding of how important local rail links are and we are pushing to get the changes made quickly.”

But not everyone is pleased with the result. Pewsey parish councillor Alan Coxon, who commutes from Pewsey to Newbury, said: “I think it’s rubbish.

“It’s very disappointing because the number of people using Pewsey Station compared to Bedwyn is huge. Bedwyn is just a hangover from when Marlborough station closed 50 years ago so I think it’s very short- sighted.

“Everything now depends on whether services from Pewsey are improved or whether they remain the same, it’s just a waiting game.”

Patrick Wilson, chairman of Pewsey and District Chamber of Commerce, said: “If nothing else changed then the impact would probably be quite neutral but the fear is that this is an opportunity for an incoming franchisee to take over and reduce services and that would be much more significant.

“There are people who have chosen to locate in Pewsey Vale because of the transport links to Reading and London Paddington and this would impact on them.”

Steve Smith, of Bedwyn Passenger Train Group, said: “This means that Bedwyn can keep its service to London so we’re delighted about that.

“Electrification of Newbury is due in 2016 so my concern is that if there is a funding gap and electrification of Bedwyn doesn’t happen until 2019, what will happen to services between that time?”

The final version of the report was due out yesterday.