PLANS for Corsham Railway Station inched closer to reality this week when Michelle Donelan persuaded a group of MPs and businessmen from Wiltshire and the surrounding counties to discuss a new rail service passing through Corsham.

The exciting proposals, which detail plans for an extension of the already planned East-West line linking Oxford to Cambridge, were discussed and supported by the consortium at the Houses of Parliament on Monday.

The group have now agreed to meet regularly to develop concrete proposals, which could be taken forward by Government in the future alongside a clear business plan, funding costs and timetable proposals.

The Chippenham MP said: "The new link between Cambridge and Oxford provides a unique opportunity to extend the service further south to Bristol and provide an opportunity to re-open Corsham Station.

"We now have a more joined up approach with an agreement from Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Bristol and Swindon that we will work together to put forward a joint submission to the Government for the introduction of a new stopping service which would call at Corsham.

"We must manage expectations, these new services and new stations are not achieved overnight, but this large powerful group all calling for the same outcome is a significant boost for our local campaign."

A Corsham Town Team, which includes representatives from the Town Council, Wiltshire Council and Transwilts, has also been working with the MP on plans for the station.