WORK to double the Kemble to Swindon line will start next year, the Government has confirmed.

Stroud MP Neil Carmichael was given an assurance in an exchange in the House of Commons from Transport Minister Theresa Villiers who confirmed work on the Swindon to Kemble line would begin in 2012-2013.

The announcement comes after years of campaigning from local groups but has only been implemented since the Coalition government came into power.

Mr Carmichael said: “To finally have a date is a real relief as this improvement is vital in the continued economic development of Stroud.

“It will provide greater access to London, the ability for more tourists to visit and will reduce our over reliance on road- based transport.”

Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, long-term campaigner for the work on the line, said: “The news of an implementation timetable is a very welcome development.

“This is the next piece in the jigsaw and confirmation that work on the Swindon to Kemble redoubling is set to commence next year is very good news for those of us who have put so much effort into this campaign.”

Mr Clifton-Brown added that he was also putting pressure on the Government to improve carparking facilities at Kemble.

Mrs Villiers said that Network Rail has commenced design work and expected implementation would start in 2012-13, with completion by 2014-15 ahead of electrification works on the Great Western main line in 2016-17.