Cotswold Chatterblog

The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) yesterday published their Periodic Review for 2008 and the results are a mixed bag for the residents of the Cotswolds.
The good news is that the ORR is in support of the scheme to re-double the Cotswold railway line. Unfortunately the plan to re-double the Swindon to Kemble line has not been included. 

In publishing this report the ORR have launched a twelve week consultation period on their decisions. Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown is encouraging residents to write to the ORR in support of beginning work on the Cotswold line as soon as possible and to reverse the decision on the Swindon to Kemble branch.

The MP commented ” I can’t think of a location within two hours of London that is so poorly served by rail. Furthermore there is a huge movement of people between Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Oxford, Reading and Swindon who require these services”

Mr Clifton-Brown met recently with representatives from Network Rail who presented a very strong case for both lines and had given hope that they would both receive the green light.
“Whilst there is welcome news for the Cotswold Line, I am bitterly disappointed about the Swindon-Kemble line. Following the meeting with Network Rail I am convinced that both lines could and should be improved as soon as possible”

The MP also highlighted that a re-doubled Swindon-Kemble line would provide an important diversionary route were there to be problems on other nearby lines.   

The address to write to is:
Bill Emery,
Office of Rail Regulation,One Kemble Street,London WC2B 4AN

with copies to Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP

Source: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP (Cotswold)

www.geoffreycliftonbrown 
Related article:
Double Delight for Cotswold MP on Gloucestershire’s Railways

Tags: cotswolds | cheltenham | gloucestershire | railways

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