Wiltshire MP maps out plan to "transform" local rail network
More trains in Melksham and new stations in Corsham and at Devizes Gateway are being proposed
Last updated 23rd Jul 2025
A vision to transform part of Wiltshire's local rail network has been mapped out, a local MP has told us.
Brian Mathew, for Melksham and Devizes, is leading the proposal to improve train connections in the county, which would include more trains in Melksham and two new stations in Corsham and at Devizes Gateway.
The Liberal Democrat chaired a meeting last week (14/7) with Network Rail, local councillors and the Western Gateway Transport Board, to set out the goals for boosting the rail network.
"This vision isn't just about trains," Mr Mathew said. "It's about linking, housing and transport, so we build communities where people can afford to live, stay active and get to work or school without needing to jump in the car every time, it's a joined up sustainable plan for the future."
He told Greatest Hits Radio that the plans would connect up to 30,000 people to the rail network, reducing cars on the road, meaning less congestion and cleaner air while also opening access to jobs, training and education, as well as making it easier to visit, making it a boost for the local economy too.
Mr Mathew said he wants to change how people view the local railway, making it part of their daily life, like a metro system.
He said: "The good news is we don't need massive construction projects to make this happen. We're talking about a few smart interventions including reopening disused platforms at Chippenham and Westbury, upgrading Thingley Junction, adding a passing loop near Melksham and making sure level crossings are up to date."
Mr Mathew said that these improvements would strengthen the case for the two new stations.
Another part of the improvements is extra trains running through Melksham, which the Lib Dem MP says are badly needed.
"Right now, trains only stop there about once every two hours, which makes it pretty hard for people to rely on, especially for everyday travel and what we're aiming at is for two trains per hour in each direction. A regular service people can plan their lives around," he added.
How long will it take?
Building a train station and connecting it to the rail network isn't an overnight project.
Mr Mathew told us things are moving well in the early stages, with the next step being to put together a document called a Strategic Outline Business Case. This is where the benefits of the project are laid out.
If that is approved, a full business case will be built over the next two to three years.
Mr Mathew said this isn't being done from scratch: "There's already a major study going on this year into reinstating platforms at Westbury, which is a key part of the bigger picture. Without Westbury, we can't increase services through Melksham or deliver a station at Devizes.
He said it will cost around £50m to Metro-ise the Melksham branch, saying that's cheaper than similar projects in other parts of the country.
He also told us that there is the possibility to collect funding from housing developers, where land values rise due to being close to train stations, saying it's an approach that has been successful in other places like Northumberland.