25/07/12

Rail boost to Swindon & Wiltshire local economy

Two major projects to improve rail links to the West will boost the local economy, says Swindon & Wiltshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership

The government has committed £500m to the Western Rail Link, which will provide better access to London Heathrow airport via an interchange at Reading. The Department for Transport has also confirmed that the Trans-Wilts regional rail service from Swindon to Westbury via Melksham, will be part of the new Greater Western franchise.

Both schemes could attract businesses to the region according to Swindon and Wiltshire LEP, which lobbied government on both schemes.

Chair of the LEP, Paul Johnson said:

“This is a double success for the LEP and the South West. We have worked hard to support rail links both within the county and to the major transport hubs in London and we are getting results. The Heathrow service will strengthen the attractiveness of our region as a location for international business and the regional service will help local businesses to stay here.”

The Western RailLink was part of a package of rail initiatives supported by SWLEP in its response to Department for Transport for the Greater Western Franchise. The link will substantially simplify the access to London Heathrow from the west, with a main line interchange at Reading. International businesses located in the SWLEP area will benefit from easier and faster access to international air services plus the convenience for incoming travellers not having to connect via London.

Trains from both Swindon and Westbury will connect with the Western Rail Link at Reading.

The Trans-Wilts regional rail service from Swindon to Westbury via Melksham will be included in the new Greater Western franchise. The new service will significantly improve the regional connectivity of Wiltshire businesses located between Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge and Westbury to the main line Reading/London services operating from Swindon, Chippenham and Westbury.

The service will also connect with Salisbury services to London Waterloo.

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