Minister backs rail track scheme

Transport minister Tom Harris is backing plans to double a railway track between Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

The proposal, which aims to improve services, has recently been rejected by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).

But Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown told the Commons doubling the single track between Kemble and Swindon would increase capacity and help ease delays.

Mr Harris replied he would press rail regulators about the importance of the scheme.

Mr Clifton-Brown told the Commons: "I cannot think of many other towns within two hours and 100 miles of London so poorly served by rail connections."

Mr Harris replied: "I will commit my own officials to working with the industry to make the case very strongly to the ORR that the re-doubling of this lane should in fact go ahead."