PLANS for a railway station in Stonehouse which could provide a direct route to Bristol have been given a second chance.

The town council’s proposal for the re-opening of the railway line has made it through to a final list of priority schemes vying for part of £9.8 million grant from the Gloucestershire Local Transport Board.

There are 14 schemes in total on the list however based on the existing money available it would only currently be possible to fund the top four schemes, although more funding may become available in the future.

Trains that currently run through Stonehouse station only go to Swindon and London, although there is a line in place to Bristol.

Stonehouse town councillor Teresa Watt said: "There has been an increasing need for a direct train from Bristol to Stonehouse in recent years as a result of the growing industrial opportunities in the town."

To show support for the scheme which could see a new station built on the site of one which closed in 1964 near the Stonehouse Court Hotel on the A419 go to http://tinyurl.com/ouhlvd4.

For more information go to http://tinyurl.com/nedgpf2.