The Stroud MP's weekly column. Siobhan is currently on maternity leave but her team are dealing with inquires.

Two schemes to reopen railway lines in Stroud remain on the table after the Government agreed to further development work.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said that the proposals for the Sharpness branch line and the Stonehouse Bristol Road project require more detail and the department is willing to work with me, Stroud District Council and Stonehouse Town Council.

Both lines - closed in the 1960s - were put forward for the first round of the Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund and have now been evaluated by a panel.

In the case of the Sharpness branch line, the department said in a letter: “The particular scheme you have presented requires further development work to understand the best route forward.

“We are ready to work with you on how best to take this project to the next stage and invite you to discuss the next steps with officials.”

Regarding Stonehouse Bristol Road, the DfT said: “Our discussions and assessment found that your proposal might deliver benefits. I believe that by working with you, Councillor Gibbs and Rachel Russell from Stonehouse Town Council, the department can provide advice in developing the proposal further.”

These are my thoughts.

Although there is much work to do on these projects before any funding decisions are made, the initial responses from the department are promising.

This fund has been put forward to help level-up regional economies and promote jobs and education opportunities and the reopening of these lines would be a boost to Stroud.

In the coming months I will do all I can to ensure these projects move forward, working in partnership with the district and town councils.