ELECTIONS: Laws welcomes Government move for twin track

AN ANNOUNCEMENT that the Government is asking the South West Peninsula Rail Task Force to look at ways to twin track the Salisbury to Exeter railway line has been welcomed by Yeovil MP David Laws.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander MP, announced yesterday (Monday, March 2, 2015) that he had asked the Rail Task Force to bring forward their proposals to improve the region’s rail network, including the Salisbury to Exeter line, to June 2016.

This will ensure that the proposals are ready in time for the next round of rail investment to be announced in July 2017.

Mr Laws met with Danny Alexander recently to discuss the Salisbury to Exeter line and push the case to double track this stretch of railway.

The line, which serves passengers travelling to and from the South West, is currently only a single track and this can cause severe delays when any problems do arise.

Mr Laws said: “I have been pushing for the dualling of the Salisbury to Exeter railway line for some time so I am really pleased to see that the Rail Task Force will now be looking at ways to carry out this important work in time for the next round of strategic rail investment. I met with Danny Alexander recently to push our case and I am pleased that he has listened to the argument.

“Last year we secured much needed investment to dual the A303 and A358, a vital step for transport infrastructure in the South West. However, upgrading the railway line which serves our region is just as important.

“Passengers using the Salisbury to Exeter railway line need to be able to rely on a punctual service and at present, with just a single line, they can’t.”

Mr Laws added: “It is imperative that we double track the line from Salisbury to Exeter. It would provide much needed durability to the line, cutting delays and helping passengers who use the service regularly and tourists who want to visit our beautiful region.”

This year's General Election will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2015.