Network Rail calls for two new Wiltshire railway stations

Earlier this year, longstanding plans for railway stations in Devizes and Corsham were dealt a blow when the government scrapped the Restoring Your Railway programme.

Multiple projects in Wiltshire benefitted from the fund, including an unmanned Gateway Railway Station in Devizes and a new Corsham Station.

While individual Restoring your Railway-originating projects are being considered by the government, ministers have been clear that not all of these will go ahead.

Now Network Rail has published its Wiltshire Rail Strategic Study, which recommends stations be built at both Devizes and Corsham to support population growth.

It also calls for enhanced services, new direct services between Wiltshire and key hubs, and upgraded track and signalling infrastructure.

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The proposed station site in Devizes The study highlights that the current rail system lacks frequent and direct services.

While the council emphasised there is still “a long way to go” before these recommendations are realised, Network Rail will now begin analysing the proposals.

Cllr Tamara Reay, cabinet member for transport, said: “We welcome this wide-ranging Network Rail report, which looks to improve connectivity and transport links in Wiltshire and beyond. 

“It follows the business cases developed by Wiltshire Council under the previous government's Restoring your Railway scheme.

“It also supports our county’s sustainable economic and population growth, helping the county to expand sustainably, while also improving regional connectivity, and boosting both passenger numbers and freight use of the railways.

“However, there is a still a long way to go before the objectives of this study can be realised, and Network Rail will now begin detailed analysis of the proposals before taking forward business cases to progress these projects.”

Plans for the new Corsham station (Image: Corsham Railway Station project team) Wiltshire Council has previously said it remains committed to progressing the two station builds and said it would lobby for their inclusion in the Department for Transport’s review of their wider transport infrastructure portfolio.

Cllr Reay added: “Ensuring we have well-connected communities is a key part of our Business Plan, and a growing Wiltshire rail network will help us to deliver on this.

“Rail is also a key part of our forthcoming Local Transport Plan, which looks to provide genuine travel choices while also reducing carbon emissions.

“We will continue to work with both Network Rail and other partners to take these projects forward and will keep lobbying Government to invest in rail improvements throughout Wiltshire.”