Two new railway stations 'should be built'

An artist's impression of what Corsham Railway Station could look like if plans go ahead

Two towns with increasing populations should get their own railway stations, according to a new report.

Network Rail has recommended building the stations in Corsham and Devizes, Wiltshire, to support population and economic growth.

Other recommendations include increasing the number of services in Wiltshire by upgrading tracks and signals.

Sarah Gibson, MP for Chippenham, said the report is a "great step forward", but warned the plans would need approval from the government and Treasury.

The far-reaching report, called Wiltshire Rail Strategic Study, sets out the basis of strategic rail planning in the county.

It also says Wiltshire's current rail system "lacks frequent and direct services", especially in north-south routes.

Better links to areas such as Oxford and Birmingham are also needed, the report stated.

Study is 'good news'

Councillor Tamara Reay, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for transport, said there are 30,000 people in Devizes who could access the service rather than going to Chippenham or Pewsey.

Mike Morgan, a Corsham resident, told BBC Radio Wiltshire: "There should be less talk, more action.

"It would be a good idea to reopen it, providing they can find somewhere sensible to park the cars that would be at the station.

"It would be a really good idea, but I've become a bit sceptical as to whether it could ever happen."

David Clark, from Refine Antiques and Furniture in Corsham, said: "It would be absolutely wonderful for the prosperity of the town, for the high street as well.

"It would bring a lot more people here. It would be great for the environment too."

Corsham Railway Station served passengers between 1841 and 1965.

In October 2021, £50,000 was announced for further feasibility studies into reopening the station under the government's Restoring Your Railway programme.