Support for £30m dual-track plan

A reliable rail service would boost local businesses, the council said

Hundreds of people have signed a council petition to help secure £30m of government cash to make part of the Kemble to Swindon railway dual-tracked.

Gloucestershire County Council has been lobbying for the work to be done to improve rail links in the area.

The £30m has become available because the Westbury bypass in Wiltshire is no longer going ahead.

The council now needs the support of the South West Strategic Leaders' Board to guarantee the funding.

'Reliable service'

It has written to the board but will be meeting members on 12 November to find out if they back bid.

If approved, work could start by 2011.

A council spokesman said it was important that transport links in and around Gloucestershire were up to standard.

"If we are going to encourage investment and boost business it is essential that we have a more reliable rail service," he added.

The £30m was originally allocated to the Westbury Bypass project.

Minister for the South West, Jim Knight MP, has indicated the cash could be used for the Gloucestershire rail project instead.

The track from Kemble to Swindon is part of the Stroud Valley line, which links Gloucestershire and surrounding counties with London and the South East.

It branches from the Birmingham to Bristol main line south of Gloucester, and joins the Great Western Railway route from south Wales to London at Swindon.