Town wants a new rail link (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Town wants a new rail link

11:53am Thursday 20th March 2008

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THE Marlborough town councillor who is spearheading a bid to reinstate a rail link has had encouraging responses from the rail companies.

Coun Graham Francis told a town council meeting that representatives of Network Rail and First Great Western had reacted with enthusiasm and interest to a plan to reinstate a line from Great Bedwyn to the town.

He said: "Network Rail are very keen. They see it as another opportunity to get people out of their cars. The meeting quite cheered me up.

"There are three things we need to do, however. We need a feasibility study, a business plan and to get local councils on board."

Coun Francis also found First Great Western enthusiastic and said it was talking in terms of creating a fast turbo service that would link with trains going to London Paddington.

The major drawback is the cost. It will cost about £20million for the track and signalling, £15million for replacement bridges and embankments, plus the cost of compensation to farmers and a feasibility study for potential passenger numbers.

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