Vital electrification of the Great Western railway line through Swindon has been given the green light following a u-turn by the Government.
The move has the potential to deliver a major economic boost to the town, cutting journey times to London and acting as a spur to attract inward investment.
Transport secretary Philip Hammond confirmed the decision last night, reversing an announcement last year that long-awaited electrification would be be shunted into the sidings.
Since then Swindon Borough Council has teamed up with Cardiff and Bristol to lobby hard for a u-turn, arguing that the economic benefits brought by electrification must not be delayed.
Swindon Council Roderick Bluh said this morning: “This is really excellent news and I’m very pleased the Government has listened to our arguments. It is something that will have a very positive effect on Swindon and the whole region. We know that one of the key ways to improve economic development is to improve transport”
Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke added:”The three cities of Cardiff, Swindon and Bristol have lobbied hard to make this case, and I look forward to building on these links with much closer collaboration on economic issues in the future.”
Last year the South West Regional Development Agency estimated that electrification of the London to Cardiff rail route could boost the regional economy by £120m a year.
