THE LONG-RUNNING campaign to breathe new life into the Cotswold line has been boosted with news an independent study will be carried out into possible improvements.
Prime Minister David Cameron has requested a report on the possible dualling of the congested line, a decision welcomed by Worcester MP Robin Walker.
Mr Cameron has repeated his support for dualling the train line running through Worcester to London, adding to the campaign to bring significant investment into the county’s infrastructure.
The Prime Minister has written to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin asking for an independent study to be carried out to look at the economic benefits of delivering much needed improvements to the Cotswold Line.
Mr Walker has lobbied for improvements to the county’s transport services since his re-election in May together with Evesham’s MP Nigel Huddleston and Pershore’s MP Harriett Baldwin.
As a result, work has already been carried out to identify the economic benefits of completing the dualling of the Carrington Road bridge.
The results will be added to the file of evidence for submission to Mr McLoughlin.
“I’m delighted the Prime Minister is continuing to back the campaign,” Mr Walker said.
“He is another MP along the route and we’re all intent on the line being improved.
“I’ve been working closely with Nigel and Harriett and it’s no harm when the Prime Minster joins the campaign, so it’s all systems go now.
“We will continue to push for journey time improvements and efficiency as there’s half a million people in the county who would benefit having better usage and connection to London,” he added.
