This week, MP Neil Carmichael discusses the need to improve the rail network

ONE of my principle objectives as MP is to ensure the Stroud Valleys and Vale are properly connected to rail links and destinations.

For this reason, I worked hard to secure the £45million funding to redouble the Stroud/Swindon railway line – a project long in preparation but, until 2010, deprived of the necessary funding to proceed. Today, thankfully, the redoubling is complete and was officially opened by the Princess Royal.

The investment paved the way for fewer delays, shortened journey times once the timetabling can be sorted out and new trains. It also has the added benefit of helping to facilitate the electrification of the main London/Bristol line, because our route can also serve as a relief route while related engineering works take place.

The last Labour government only managed a paltry nine miles of newly electrified railway in 13 years – in five years, the coalition government will have successfully electrified 880 miles of railway. The net result of this investment will be modern, cleaner and greener trains.

Railway usage has increased sharply over the last two decades; in fact, passenger numbers have doubled in that time. Such an increase in capacity needs to be supported by station improvement and, occasionally, new stations. For our area, this means a review of station access to Bristol-bound routes.

The Cam and Dursley station has direct routes to Bristol and is very popular; so much so, that car park capacity is often stretched. The problem is for commuters setting off from Stroud or Stonehouse. Incredibly, Bristol from Stroud requires a change trains at either Gloucester or Swindon. Birmingham is similarly difficult.

After researching options, it is clear that best way to solve this problem is to reactivate the old Bristol Road Stonehouse Station, leaving other stations as they are. The business case for this investment is strong – not least because of the employment and tourism opportunities it brings.

Through working with businesses and apprentices through Festomane, I am convinced of the value of enabling easier access to transport infrastructure.