PRIME MINISTER David Cameron has repeated his support for dualling of the congested Cotswold Line train service running from Worcestershire through his constituency to London.
And he has written to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin asking for an independent study to be carried out to look at the economic benefits of delivering much-needed improvements to the train line.
The Prime Minister, who is also MP for Witney, has informed Harriett of his request which will add to the campaign to bring significant investment into the county’s infrastructure.
Work is already being carried out to identify the economic benefits of completing the dualling of the Carrington Road bridge and this can be added to the file of evidence for submission to the Transport Secretary.
Harriett has consistently lobbied for improvements to the Cotswold Line with her colleagues Robin Walker and Nigel Huddleston, who took over from the retired Sir Peter Luff in May.
Harriett commented: “I am grateful for the Prime Minister’s intervention on this matter. He also represents a rural constituency which depends on good road and train links and I know he consistently raises the matter of dualling the Cotswold Line in meetings with rail chiefs.
“Earlier in the year, I called on businesses to speak up and say what a difference better transport links would make to their growth plans. It is clear that this evidence will form a crucial part of the decision-making process for significant investment in our road and rail links.
“With the green light for the Worcestershire Parkway station now given at County Hall, it could not be more important that we deliver more dualling of sections of the Cotswold Line into the plans for rail investment over the coming years.
“We all understand that this will be a costly project but the message is clear that it is much needed across the length of the line towards Oxford.
“Together with my colleagues, I will keep up the pressure for investment in the Cotswold Line and call for faster, more frequent services for county rail commuters.”