Plans to build a train station in Wilton suffer major set back
Bid for government funding rejected
Plans to build a new train station in Wilton have been dealt a bitter blow after Wiltshire Council has had a bid for funding for a feasibility study rejected.
The local authority applied for funding from the Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund earlier this year to build stations in Corsham and Wilton to link the towns to the national rail network.
It's confirmed to Greatest Hits Radio that whilst the bid for Corsham did get approved, Wilton's was 'unsuccessful'.
The project for Wilton involves building a four platform station next to the town's park and ride and would cost around £20m.
It would provide a rail link to Salisbury and access to train services on the West of England line from London Waterloo to Exeter.
There would also be trains to other parts of Wiltshire on the TransWilts line, with two trains stopping at the station each hour.
Councillor Dr Mark McClelland, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said there was a 'high level of interest' with almost 200 applicants for the fund.
"We are disappointed that we were unsuccessful at this time, as we believe that the project would not only enhance public transport access and journeys across west Salisbury and South West Wiltshire but relieve the pressure on Salisbury railway station and reduce the demand on the congested A36 and surrounding road networks and help to attract inward investment in the Salisbury and Wilton area. It would also provide sustainable transport access for tourists looking to visit Stonehenge world heritage site, Cranborne Chase and Great West Way, as well as the local Wilton attractions.
“We will be reviewing the situation in due course and deciding on our next steps.”