Justin looking at the planned upgrades
Swindon's two MPs, Justin Tomlinson (North) and Robert Buckland (South) this week welcomed the start of work on the long-awaited redoubling of the Great Western railway line between Kemble and Swindon. It will improve the frequency and reliability of trains using the route.
An event was held on Friday to mark the start of the earthworks at Kemble Station in Gloucestershire.
Justin Tomlinson MP said "This is significant investment in our local infrastructure from the Government, and, alongside the major investment in electrifying the Great Western Mainline, will make a significant difference to the fellow local residents who use our trains every day.
"The single line stretch between Kemble and Swindon is a known bottleneck on the route up to Gloucestershire and I am sure the commuters who face the delays that this often causes will welcome the start of this work."
Paul Johnson said: "This is a great day for rail passengers travelling between Swindon and Gloucestershire. Politicians, passengers and businesses in Wiltshire, Swindon and Gloucestershire have worked hard to get the funding for this scheme, which will bring real benefits to passengers using the line and as a result, boost the economy."
The section between Swindon and Kemble was "singled" in the late-1960s as a cost-saving measure by British Rail, under agreement with the government.
Doubling the 12.5 miles of line from single-track to a two-way service will cut a bottleneck on the Cheltenham to London route. It will also complement the electrification of the Great Western Line between London and Wales.
The £45m project was given the go-ahead in March 2011.
