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Author Topic: Reopening of Kemble to Cirencester Branch Line (merged topic, ongoing discussion)  (Read 33876 times)
ellendune
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« Reply #30 on: May 22, 2016, 08:27:35 »

We have a thread on this somewhere. 
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=14439.0
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bobm
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« Reply #31 on: May 22, 2016, 09:30:32 »

With thanks to ellendune for pointing it out, I have now merged the two topics in question.
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Spaceship
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« Reply #32 on: May 22, 2016, 19:41:00 »

Maybe a bigger / faster version of a Class 139 could be used here or a DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) shuttling back and fourth

From a practical point of view the trackbed in Cirencester is a little built on so if using the branch from Kemble they would need to realign slightly and terminate next to the industrial estate near the allotments or compulsory purchase property to get any closer to the old station site in the town centre.
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eightf48544
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« Reply #33 on: May 22, 2016, 23:53:38 »

Just a thought. Wouldn't a through service to Swindon be more useful given the relatively short distance which makes a change at Kemble a nuisance?

Possibly also serving the proposed junction station with the Swindon and Cricklade Railway in north Swindon.
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TonyK
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« Reply #34 on: May 26, 2016, 22:34:26 »

By sublime coincidence, Mrs FT, N! was today left hanging around Kemble station for half an hour for the bus to Cirencester.

As Spaceship points out, the track bed has been largely built on within Cirencester, and what remains of the station is surrounded by buildings and roads. The trackbed from Kemble is still very obvious, as is that to Tetbury so far as Tesco, albeit missing a few bridges. In another political climate, it could be a contender for light rail, but I can't see it happening.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #35 on: July 19, 2016, 14:58:54 »

I'm sure there was a thread on this topic...

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Quote
A Cotswold town could be linked to mainline rail services again if a plan for a new line is approved.

Services from Cirencester were axed in the 1960s as part of the Beeching cuts leaving only services from the nearby village of Kemble.

But now, Cirencester Community Railway wants to raise funds for a feasibility study to lay four miles of track.

The plan involves a "light" rail service which would link to mainline services in Kemble.

Recently, a scheme to double the track at Kemble at a cost of £45m, was completed by Network Rail.




That route links Cheltenham, Gloucester and Kemble with Swindon and London Paddington.

And a light train service from Cirencester could link up to Kemble meaning people would not have to drive and park there.

The group's Richard Gunner said £75,000 is needed to fund a study to estimate how many people would use the service.

Cirencester mayor Mark Harris said the plan was at "very, very early stages" but added it would "free up the roads" and help with under-pressure parking in the town.

He added that the plan would also help link up the town with London and make it "so much easier" to do business with the capital.

The £13m proposal includes a new station in Cirencester at Chesterton and a bridge being built over the A429 at Kemble.

The scheme could also alleviate parking issues in Kemble where a small car park is often full with motorists having to park in nearby roads.

A Great Western Railway spokesman said the firm wanted to build a new car park.

"We are currently awaiting planning consent from Cotswold District Council which we understand should be granted shortly."

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Adelante_CCT
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« Reply #36 on: July 19, 2016, 16:45:50 »

I'm sure there was a thread on this topic...

I'm guessing you mean here: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=14439.0
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ChrisB
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« Reply #37 on: July 19, 2016, 16:56:19 »

Yep, that's it - Mods, please merge. Sorry
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #38 on: July 19, 2016, 22:17:37 »

Topics now merged, as requested.  Lips sealed
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
TonyK
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« Reply #39 on: July 20, 2016, 20:15:25 »

Sorry - this was a story from the Wilts & Gloucester Standard newspaper: -


Quote
"EARLY plans to bring a new railway line into Cirencester are steaming ahead after a meeting with top government officials.

The capital of the Cotswolds was buzzing with excitement last week after the Standard broke the news that new track could be laid along the line to Kemble, opening Cirencester to the national rail network for the first time since 1964.

Mayor Mark Harris and Richard and Jane Gunner, of Whiteway Farm, are forging forward with the proposal which would see an ultra-modern, eco-friendly train running the 5km from station to station.

Mayor Harris, who was elected for a second term last week, said he had been "inundated with messages of support for the vision".

"Everyone is incredibly excited about the prospect of reopening the Kemble to Cirencester railway line," he said.

"It is important to stress that at this stage we are looking at carrying out a feasibility study which will address issues such as: is it physically possible? How will landowners be effected? Does it have public support and, crucially, will people actually use it?"

Last Wednesday he went to London to pitch the idea to the Department of Transport in order to get funds for that feasibility study.

The "Dragon's Den-type event" included a panel of Lord Faulkner of Worcester, millionaire and train enthusiast Sir William McAlpine, senior tourism figure Debbie Wells and Mark Garnier MP (Member of Parliament)."

The phrases "steaming ahead" and "top government officials" do little to inject any optimism into this story, but who knows, somebody on the Forum might be able to shed some light on this.

No "green light" then, but at least it hasn't "hit the buffers".

Translated into everyday English, the article tells us that a self-publicist councillor has been given permission to think about a feasibility study into having a feasibility study into a possible study into the feasibility of relaying a railway from Kemble to Cirencester, via the bits that haven't been built over, and has received a few supportive tweets plus a number of "likes" on his Facebook page.

Work is unlikely to start within the next couple of weeks...
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #40 on: July 20, 2016, 21:42:27 »

By sublime coincidence, Mrs FT, N! was today left hanging around Kemble station for half an hour for the bus to Cirencester.

I am on record as stating that, second to Nailsea & Backwell, my favourite railway station is Kemble.  It's well worth having a wander around there, if you have that half hour to spare, as an occasional visitor.  Wink
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
TonyK
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« Reply #41 on: July 20, 2016, 23:04:56 »

I am on record as stating that, second to Nailsea & Backwell, my favourite railway station is Kemble.  It's well worth having a wander around there, if you have that half hour to spare, as an occasional visitor.  Wink

If you are at Kemble station, you will almost certainly have time on your hands.

I have recently taken to the air again, an activity I hope to pursue at Kemble aerodrome. I wish communication between station and airfield were easier. I shall have to drive (before flying).
 
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patch38
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« Reply #42 on: January 27, 2020, 16:52:58 »

After a fair while, an update:

https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/18190465.plans-new-kemble-cirencester-railway-line-back-track/

Quote
Plans to build a new railway line from Kemble to Cirencester look to be back on track.

Fundraising for a £53,000 feasibility study had stalled but Cotswold District Council will now invest £13,000 to make up the shortfall.

Now the plan, which has been four years in the making, can be put into motion with the aim of unlocking Government funding from a £500m pot designed to reopen lines closed in the 1960s following the Beeching Report.

Cllr Mark Harris, who, with Cllr Tony Berry, has been involved with the Cirencester Community Railway since its inception, proposed a motion for the funding to be granted at a meeting of the full Council last week which was duly passed.

Cllr Harris said: “Being able to carry out this feasibility study is the first step in bringing forward the line which will be of tremendous benefit for commuters and tourists alike.

“It will also be a very light railway which will have minimal impact on the environment and encourage people to stop using their cars for commuting, so helping our commitment to combating climate change.”

It is intended to build a single-track line with passing places which will follow the old route as far as possible before terminating near the centre of Cirencester.

The service will then link in with the recently dualled line between Swindon and Kemble which in turn connects to London Paddington.

It is hoped that the new line will also provide a template for others in the Cotswolds, including Tetbury and Bourton.

For more information visit cirentrain.org.uk

'A template for Tetbury' - interesting.
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mjones
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« Reply #43 on: January 27, 2020, 20:07:41 »

Got to be at least 100 million, surely.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #44 on: January 28, 2020, 09:30:10 »

I also suspect business cases for lines that connect with other lines at each end, rather than branch lines, will be far better....the case for this one must be quite small
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