Plan to build railway line between Kemble and Cirencester

Cirencester once had three stations but the last one closed in the mid-1960s as a result of the Beeching cuts.

The Cirencester Community Railway Project was set up in 2013 with the aim of connecting the town back to the National Rail Network.

In January 2020 Cotswold District Council (CDC) provided the remaining £13,000 needed to fund a £53,000 feasibility study.

With the pandemic’s arrival, it was not possible to do on-the-ground passenger or public surveys to gauge interest.

But those working on the project say they are encouraged by figures modelled by the Southampton University Transportation Research Group .

The preliminary stage of the feasibility study was carried out to ensure there were no 'show-stoppers'.

The board and their consultants EI Ltd have studied things such as passenger numbers, the safety of the old embankments and bridge design.

This has now been completed and the project has received £50,000 from the Government’s Restoring Your Railway Fund.

A Strategic Outline Business Case showing the project warrants further funding has to be submitted to the Department for Transport by April demonstrating the 'social, environmental and economic benefits to Cirencester'.

A spokesperson for the project said: "Besides the local benefits, we intended to demonstrate that VLR can replace the old lost rail links in rural areas with an economical and sustainable solution, restoring connectivity to isolated towns across the UK."

CDC will also be considering the group’s request for match funding the next stage of the project at a meeting next month.

The plan as it stands is to build a new 8km line between Cirencester and Kemble and using new technology known as Very Light Rail. (VLR).

The Very Light Rail vehicle is currently under development at the University of Warwick and could be used on the line between Kemble and Cirencester

The proposed route would follow the old one some of the way from Kemble before branching off to pass the RAU where it would also serve Cirencester College, Deer Park School and the Chesterton Development before terminating near Cirencester town centre.

The proposed route

A new bridge over the A429 would be required as the original Clayfurlong Bridge was pulled down when the line was first closed.

Proposed light-weight bridge over the A429 to replace the original Clayfurlong bridge

The project has been met with some scepticism, but proponents say the Chesterton Development and growing climate emergency mean people are now more receptive to the idea.

VLR uses fully electric vehicles which are capable of charging in a few minutes.

Research by the Lufthansa Innovation Hub suggests VLR is more environmentally friendly than electric cars, largely due to less carbon dioxide being produced during the manufacturing process.

The system will use two vehicles initially, running in opposite directions and crossing at the station near the RAU.

Each has 20 seats, but can carry up to 75 passengers.

The service is planned to run every 20 minutes, and align with main line train arrivals at Kemble where possible.

VLR is also much cheaper than heavy rail, costing between £5-7 million/kilometre rather than £35-50 million/kilometre.

A guide figure of £52 million has been given for the project.

Cllr Rachel Coxcoon, Cotswold District Council’s cabinet member for climate change and forward planning, said: “I would like to congratulate the Cirencester Community Rail Project in its successful bid for funding from the government’s Reopening of Railways Fund.

“A new railway line from Kemble to Cirencester would bring a range of benefits for commuters and tourists alike.

“The feasibility study has helped to identify the scale and cost of the project and the council’s cabinet is scheduled to consider the group’s request for match funding the next stage of the project at its upcoming meeting in April.

“I would also like to say a huge thanks to Councillor Tony Berry (Kemble Ward) and Councillor Mark Harris (Abbey Ward) who have spearheaded the district council’s involvement in this project and made sure it has remained a live issue as we plan for a more sustainable transport system for the district.”

For more information about the Cirencester Community Railway Project go to cirentrain.org.uk