Martin backs light rail plan

3.22.00pm GMT Tue 17th Mar 2009

MP Martin Horwood has repeated his support for an ultra-light rail (ULR) plan for Cheltenham. The scheme, developed by Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce and Professor Frank Chambers of the University of Gloucestershire, narrowly missed winning an award at the Carbon Connections Conference in London, it was announced today. Light rail could potentially link Gloucester, Cheltenham, the racecourse and Bishop's Cleeve and potentially extend as far afield as Stratford using the former Honeybourne line.

'I'm delighted that this scheme has received national recognition' said Martin. 'This would be a nationally important scheme showing how light rail can serve not just big cities but smaller towns and cities and rural areas too. The particular proposal developed by the University also included some radical technology that could set the standard for zero-carbon transport in Europe. It now deserves more serious attention from the County Council and the transport authorities in Gloucestershire and backing from government. Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce have made all the running so far and need some serious backing now. I will be writing both to the transport minister Lord Adonis and to the County Council asking for their clear and unambiguous support for the scheme in principle.'