A Government Minister has pledged to respond to a bid to dual further sections of the Cotswold Line by the end of February bringing a long-term ambition to improve journey times a huge leap closer.

The bid for £1.5 million of funding to develop a full business case has been supported by MPs along the Cotswold Line and was highlighted in a debate in Westminster today, led by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin.

The Cotswold Line Taskforce is developing a plan to dual two sections of line – four miles towards Oxford and five miles between Evesham and Pershore – and add station platforms at Pershore and Hanborough. The project aims to further improve journey times for commuters travelling to London and the South East.

Earlier this month, a letter signed by Worcestershire MPs Harriett Baldwin, Nigel Huddleston and Robin Walker, Herefordshire MPs Jesse Norman and Bill Wiggin, and Cotswolds MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown to the Secretary of State for Transport formally supporting the bid.

Speaking after the debate, Harriett commented: “I was pleased with the Government response and hope that the business case leads to support from both the Department for Transport and the Treasury ahead of this year’s Budget.

“This debate has the support of all of the MPs who represent constituencies serviced by the line and local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships have been closely involved in the planning.

“The line will soon see a brand-new station at Worcestershire Parkway and what we now need is some extra dualling to deliver faster, more frequent, more reliable services for Worcestershire commuters.

“It has been a challenge that Worcestershire MPs have taken up for decades and I hope that we are a step closer to delivering on this long-term ambition.”