Local News · Devizes
Devizes rail link project gathers momentum with technical study confirmed
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Plans to restore the rail link to Devizes are progressing as steering groups confirm that technical requirements for a new station and service are viable.
Plans to reconnect Devizes to the national rail network have taken a significant step forward, with the Devizes Gateway Steering Group preparing to share critical updates at a forthcoming council meeting. The long-term project, which seeks to restore rail access to the town for the first time since the 1960s, remains a key focus for local councillors and transport planners.
Devizes Town Council is scheduled to receive a detailed report during its full council meeting on October 15. The agenda highlights that the steering group has maintained a steady pace of activity, having met four times since late February, with further strategic meetings already scheduled as planning efforts intensify.
Recent progress centres on technical discussions with Network Rail. Andrew Robinson, a senior strategy planner for the South-West, has provided the steering group with findings from an investigation into the feasibility of the Westbury station hub. Central to the vision is the introduction of an hourly service running from London Paddington to Westbury, with a stop at a proposed Devizes Gateway station.
The technical analysis focused on the complex requirements of track layout, signalling, and the reinstatement of Platform 0 at Westbury. Crucially, the study has confirmed that these operational needs can be met. With the technical foundation now established, the project is moving into an economic appraisal phase to evaluate the benefit-to-cost ratio, a vital step in securing future investment.
The local case for the station is driven by concerns over infrastructure and economic growth. Town councillors have noted that the town's current lack of rail connectivity is a limiting factor for local businesses and contributes significantly to road congestion. Ongoing engagement with larger local employers has already yielded letters of support for the project.
Key themes emerging from the consultation process include:
The central importance of Devizes to the wider Wiltshire economy.
The current reliance on road travel, which is deemed unsustainable for both business and environmental reasons.
The potential for improved connectivity to stimulate inbound and outbound travel, which is currently hampered by slow local transport links.
The steering group is expected to continue its outreach in early 2027 to ensure that local businesses are given the opportunity to provide further input. Beyond the immediate benefits to Devizes, the project is seen as part of a wider strategy, with proposed improvements at Westbury station also expected to facilitate additional services between Warminster and Swindon.
Source: Gazette & Herald — Devizes · View original