COUNTY chiefs have met with Transport Minister Huw Merriman in a bid to get a project aiming to double two stretches of rail track between Oxford and Worcester moving in the right direction.
Malvern MP Harriett Baldwin joined Witney MP Robert Courts to meet with the Transport Minister to discuss proposals to dual two sections of rail track between Oxford and Worcester.
Oxfordshire and Worcestershire County Council representatives joined the meeting to present a case to revive the project, which was mothballed during the pandemic.
The two authorities have been collaborating on a proposal and presented a business case to the Department for Transport.
The plans will aim to provide more, faster services to and from London and the South East.
Mrs Baldwin said she was hopeful the project could move forward following the meeting.
She added: “We had a very positive meeting with the Minister and I am hopeful the right people are now talking to each other in the Department and Network Rail to find a way to progress this plan.
“Before the pandemic, a strong proposal was made to carry out the dualling of the Cotswold Line but this and many similar projects were mothballed until people returned to the railways.
“Rail use is clearly coming back to normal, and the success of Worcestershire Parkway shows we now need to focus on delivering faster, more frequent, more reliable services for county commuters.
“I am confident the Minister has picked up on the local enthusiasm for this important project.”
