9 February 2009
Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has warmly welcomed the announcement from the Department of Transport of £900,000 of funding for the redoubling of the Swindon to Kemble Railway Line.

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has warmly welcomed the announcement from the Department of Transport of £900,000 of funding for the redoubling of the Swindon to Kemble Railway Line.

Mr Clifton-Brown is delighted that Lord Adonis, the Transport Minister has recognised the significant advantages that this scheme presents.

“I worked tirelessly to have this scheme included in the Office of the Rail Regulators Business Plan for 2009-14 and I believe that the announcement from the Department of Transport demonstrates that they believe that the decision was incorrect”

“The completion of this scheme will benefit rail users in my constituency massively with an improved service to Cheltenham, Gloucester, Swindon and to London”

However, the MP was cautious in his belief that things would happen immediately.

“There still remains a significant funding gap, and whilst this news should give those who recognise the importance of the scheme it is clear from Lord Adonis’s words that the project will need the full support of the South West Regional Development Agency”

Mr Clifton-Brown has organised a further meeting with Network Rail, First Great Western and other Gloucestershire MPs to work out how this can continue to be taken forward.