Rail

In May 2020, Wiltshire Council, working with the Devizes Development Partnership (DDP), was successful in being awarded funding (up to £50,000) from the Department for Transport's (DfT's) Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund to develop a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for Devizes Gateway Station.

The SOC is the first stage in the DfT's business case process and sets out the case for change and the strategic fit (how the project would further local priorities and wider government ambitions). It also includes more limited information on the other four required elements of business cases: economic; financial; commercial; and management.

Following discussions with the DfT and a period of project mobilisation, the SOC was developed over 2021 and submitted to the DfT in early November 2021. In addition to the DfT grant, funding has been utilised from the Devizes Area Board, relevant S106 agreement(s) and Wiltshire Council.

The development of the SOC has involved close working with local partners including Danny Kruger MP, the DDP, Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP), Great Western Railway and Network Rail to develop a strong and robust case.

In June 2022, the DfT announced that it would like to support the further development of the scheme to the next interim stage of development by providing further funding from the Restoring Your Railway Fund. The DfT therefore instructed Network Rail to lead on an interim feasibility study, working with local partners including Wiltshire Council and the DDP. To read the feasibility study, please see the Network Rail website (opens new window).

Devizes Gateway Feasibility Study - Strategic Outline Case (OpenDocument text format, 28 MB)(opens new window)

Devizes Gateway Strategic Outline Case Support Letter (OpenDocument text format, 432 KB)(opens new window)

In October 2021, Wiltshire Council, working with Corsham Town Council, was successful in being awarded funding (up to £50,000) from the Department for Transport's (DfT's) Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund to develop a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for Corsham Station.

The SOC is the first stage in the DfT's business case process and sets out the case for change and the strategic fit (how the project would further local priorities and wider government ambitions). It also includes more limited information on the other four required elements of business cases: economic; financial; commercial; and management.

The SOC was developed over 2022 and submitted to the DfT in mid-November 2022. In addition to the DfT grant, funding has been utilised from Corsham Town Council and Wiltshire Council.

The development of the SOC has involved close working with relevant partners and stakeholders as part of the Corsham Town Team (Steering Group) including Corsham Town Council, the Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP, Great Western Railway, Network Rail and local businesses/organisations.

If the SOC is approved by the DfT, the next stage would typically be the development of an Outline Business Case (OBC). The OBC identifies the preferred scheme option and includes a detailed business case where further consideration will be given to design, planning, access and consultation matters.

Corsham Station plans on track as council submits business case - Wiltshire Council

Corsham Station Feasibility Study - Strategic Outline Case (OpenDocument text format, 12 MB)(opens new window)