A TOWN council has recieved a £250,000 investment from a developer to upgrade transport services in a Cotswold town. 

Cotswold District Council passed on the money towards Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council’s plans to create a transport hub for the North Cotswolds.

The town council has put forward ideas to refurbish Redesdale Hall and develop the railway station. 

Juliet Layton, CDC cabinet member for development management and licensing, said: “This is a historic investment into Moreton’s infrastructure and it comes after years of housing development which has changed the face of the town. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Cotswold District Council presenting Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council with the cheque Cotswold District Council presenting Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council with the cheque (Image: Newsquest)

“Many local people are fed up that these developments haven’t had the adequate infrastructure to support people already living in the town and those people making their home here.

“Moreton-in-Marsh railway station has the potential to become a key stop in the North Cotswolds.

"Combined with bus services, walking and cycling routes, there is potential to create a sustainable transport hub to benefit the wider area. 

"No one should feel isolated because they can’t get around.”

Clive Webster, from Moreton Town Council said: “I'm delighted to see this contribution toward the Moreton Transport Hub.

"It will help residents get into town more sustainably by bike or foot while offering rail commuters a better place to park than the High Street or residential roads. 

“This project should give the extra parking and transport capacity to enable improvements to the High Street which will boost local business and recapture some of the lost heritage and character of the town.”

The funding came to Cotswold District Council from a developer contribution as part of the construction of the Fire Service College.

To progress the council’s plans, funding is required for the project to reach the stage where there is a suitable design for the transport hub to apply for and achieve planning approval.

This will be funded from a combination from Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council, Cotswold District Council, Great Western Railway and other third-party contributions.

Redesdale Hall, which is used as a cultural meeting space for the community, currently requires extensive refurbishment.

Total project costs for Redesdale Hall including building stabilisation, roof replacement, internal regeneration and improvement to public realm surroundings are estimated in the region of £3m.