MP Claire Perry has welcomed a report which concludes that there are strong benefits for extending rail electrification to Bedwyn.

But, as expected, the study by consultants Arup says that the business case for extension beyond Bedwyn to Westbury, including Pewsey, does not make economic sense given the cost of electrifying 85 miles more rail track.

Mrs Perry (Devizes) and MPs Richard Benyon (Newbury) and Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) have now written to Simon Burns MP, Minister of State for Transport, seeking clarification and assurance on a number of outstanding concerns.

They say that if funding for the electrification extension from Newbury to Bedwyn is now being sought it is not yet clear if this will be available to enable the work to be completed concurrently with electrification of the route from Reading to Newbury in 2016.

They are concerned that, in the intervening period, stations between Newbury and Bedwyn might see fewer through train services.

And they say train services west of Bedwyn - including Pewsey and Westbury - should be at least as good as they are now if electrification from Newbury to Bedwyn goes ahead.

Mrs Perry said: "Overall this is fantastic news for the local economy.

"Rail electrification should result in shorter, more reliable journeys and most importantly for passengers from Bedwyn we should avoid the dreaded ‘shuttle’ which would have meant changing trains at Newbury.

"I recognise that there is still much to be done – ensuring if at all possible that the work is completed at the same time as the Reading-Newbury work, and finding long-term solutions for car parking at Bedywn Station.

"I am disappointed that the business case for electrification through Pewsey is uneconomic but I will continue to fight for train services that are at least as good as now.

"I want to thank the Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group, Pewsey Train Watch and Transition Marlborough who have provided huge amounts of analysis and data to the review process.

"I know how vital fast and efficient transport links are to our communities and the local economy and I will continue to campaign to ensure that rail services in the Devizes Constituency remain very firmly on the Government’s agenda."