FIRST Great Western (FGW) has announced there will be an increase in trains on the Kemble to London railway line from 2018.

The proposals are part of the rail group’s plans for its new franchise that starts in September and runs until April 2019.

In December 2018 a major timetable change will enhance the Super Express Train service which is set to be introduced in the South Cotswolds summer 2017.

As part of this change, the through journey service frequency from London to Cheltenham, which includes the Kemble to Swindon line, will be doubled off-peak, with hourly intercity services replacing almost all the local services.

Journey times from London to Cheltenham will be cut by around 12 minutes, with a typical journey time of two hours and the fastest journey being one hour and 55 minutes.

The new franchise will deliver a range of benefits for customers over the South Cotswolds route from Cheltenham, Gloucester, via Stroud, Kemble, Swindon and through to London.

In May 2017 a new service 1642 Paddington to Cheltenham service will run, with a return 1934 Cheltenham to Paddington service extending the operation of the last through service to the capital by an hour later than currently New Super Express Trains, introduced as part of the government’s Intercity Express Programme.

FGW recently submitted plans to Cotswold District Council to create 330 additional spaces at Kemble rail station.

These new car park extensions are expected to be in place at Kemble a during 2016, subject to suitable agreements and consents being finalised.