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Consultation to give passengers and community groups more say over how local Wiltshire rail services are run.

* government begins consultation to give passengers greater input in local Wiltshire rail services
* 32-mile route between Swindon and Westbury and Chippenham and Melksham stations included in the proposals
* TransWilts Community Rail Partnership to play greater role in improving vital regional rail link

Community groups and passengers in Wiltshire could have more say over the design and operation of their local rail services, under plans announced by Rail Minister Claire Perry today (10 February 2016).

The government is consulting on designating the 32-mile route between Swindon and Westbury ^ known as the TransWilts line ^ as a community rail service.

This would allow the community to design train services according to local needs, which in turn would help increase passenger numbers, improve connectivity to key destinations and ultimately boost the local economy.

Rail Minister Claire Perry said:

I know how important this line is to local communities in Wiltshire, and it^s right that passengers have a bigger say in shaping its future.

By designating the TransWilts line as a community rail service, we can breathe new life into this route, ensure its long term future, and improve connections between Swindon that will mean better journeys for customers and promote local economic growth.

If the plans go ahead, train companies including Great Western Railway will continue to operate passenger services. However, it will be with the support of the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership, comprising local organisations, train operators, Wiltshire Council, rail users and other interest groups.

The partnership will have direct input in securing better services and station facilities for customers, including Chippenham and Melksham stations, which also fall under the proposals.