LOCAL MPs BACK RAIL PLAN

5.39.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Jun 2007

Liberal Democrat Martin Horwood joined Conservative and Labour colleagues at ministerial questions today supporting a plan to improve Gloucestershire's railway services. Tory Laurence Robertson asked the first question, inviting the government to support the redoubling of the line between Kemble and Swindon - a vital link between Gloucestershire and the fast services to Reading and London. Labour MP David Drew also supported the scheme.

The minister gave a lukewarm response to all three local MPs but said that ultimately it was Network Rail's decision.

Martin commented:

"Now that the proposal for a Gloucester Parkway station has been firmly shunted into a siding, it's time to switch the focus onto rail improvement schemes that will really deliver for Cheltenham and for the whole of Gloucestershire. The two top priorities must be to examine a light rail scheme for Cheltenham and Gloucester perhaps extending to other parts of the county and to support the upgrade of the Kemble to Swindon line. That would allow better services between London and the whole of Gloucestershire."

"I'm delighted this rail improvement scheme is enjoying all-party support. We're much more effective working together than against each other. I'm writing to the County Council today asking for their support too."