MINISTER of State for Transport Theresa Villiers acknowledged the benefits of re-doubling the Swindon - Kemble line at a meeting attended by Stroud MP Neil Carmichael.

During the course of the gathering, which was also attended by Gloucester MP Richard Graham and MP for The Cotswolds Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Ms Villiers praised the importance of the scheme but said any decision would have to wait until the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review in October.

She said the project would not only ensure a regular service and put Gloucestershire well within two hours distance from London but could also see the line serving as an important diversionary route - particularly during electrification work on the Great Western Main Line.

However, concern was expressed that the £45 million Labour had provided to the South West Regional Funding Allocation for the project was not actually available and as such, the funding shortfall was far larger than the £4.8 million claimed by ministers during the last government. Commenting after the meeting, Mr Carmichael said: "The case for redoubling the line is overwhelming and Ms Villiers noted the advantages in terms of business, tourism and protection of the environment. "She also recognised that a back to back project with the nearby Cotswolds line would have significant cost savings. "This campaign must continue but of course we must also recognise that the challenges in public expenditure will mean that our case has to be absolutely watertight. "I will continue to work with all of my Gloucestershire colleagues to secure funding for this project."