• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Monday June 20 2022
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Plans for new station for Devizes take a major step forward

Plans for a new railway station in Devizes are on track following a government announcement that Network Rail is to lead a £400,000 study into the Devizes Gateway project.

Network Rail will partner with Wiltshire Council, GWR, Devizes Development Partnership and the Devizes Gateway Steering Group on the study, which has two main elements.

The first will focus on Devizes Gateway and look at station infrastructure requirements, train services and station transport connections, such as bus services and cycling routes.

The second element will focus on Westbury station and look at a strategic vision and timetable planning. The proposals meet the Wiltshire Council’s business plan objective to have well-connected communities.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “This is great news for the Devizes Gateway project, and also for Wiltshire generally given the important interchange role that Westbury station has.

“Devizes Gateway would bring a station to the largest town in Wiltshire that is currently without a rail link, and this will bring significant travel and economic benefits to both Devizes and the wider local area.

“Westbury station is a key rail hub that has capacity issues that impact on train services and interchanges. Addressing these issues would not only benefit Westbury and Wiltshire, but also the wider region.

“We’re committed to improving public transport in Wiltshire, and although there is still some way to go, we welcome this very good news on Devizes Gateway station and Westbury station.”

Devizes constituency MP Danny Kruger said: “I’m over the moon that the Devizes Gateway station project has got through the next stage from dream to reality.

“My thanks to the Devizes Development Partnership and Wiltshire Council for their work on the bid, and to the Government for the Restoring Your Railway funding.

“I look forward to working with the local community and businesses to plan the next stage of this vital and exciting project for Wiltshire.”

Paddy Bradley, CEO Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We’re delighted that Devizes Gateway station and Westbury station are going to be looked at as part of this study.

“Devizes Gateway station really opens transport options for residents in Devizes and, with improvements at Westbury station, will improve the local economy.”

The announcement is part of £15 million of funding to reinstate nine stations in England as part of the government’s Restoring Your Railway scheme.

Devizes is the largest town in Wiltshire without a rail link. The Devizes line and all its stations were closed in 1966 under the Beeching Axe. The track was taken up and station buildings demolished. The site is now a car park.

The proposed Devizes Gateway site is two-and-a-half miles southeast of the town, near Lydeway.