HONEYBOURNE Station could become a far busier stop-off point on the Cotswold Line if plans to reinstate a former rail route are approved.

A proposal to reopen the line from Stratford through Long Marston and Honeybourne towards Cheltenham, are part of a raft of plans detailed in Network Rail’s latest Route Utilisation Strategy.

The report states that the route could be opened to freight traffic and passenger services permanently as a relief to existing rail lines that are approaching full capacity.

If the plans go ahead it would mean passenger services returning to the route for the first time in about half a century.

The Cotswold Line Promotion Group (CLPG) was consulted on the report and backed the plans; adding that it would like to see a new freight terminal in the Vale of Evesham to reduce lorry movements, by transporting items such as fruit and vegetables by rail instead of road.

CLPG chairman Derek Potter described the Honeybourne plans as “aspirational” and that realistically, they were a long way off from being implemented.

He said: “The last time this route was used for passengers was in the 1960s when it was closed down by Dr Beeching.

“It was used as an alternative freight route from the south coast to the Midlands; everything comes through Oxford at present.

“If they want to open it all the way from Cheltenham to Stratford then it could be done fairly quickly. The track bed is in place and it would not be a huge issue.

“There may have to be some changes to the network. For example older bridges may have to be adapted to ensure larger containers can pass through.”

Meanwhile, Network Rail’s investment board meet tomorrow and are expected to give the go-ahead to phase two of the Cotswold Line re-doubling scheme. The scheme is expected to be completed by 2011.

Mr Potter said: “This will allow for a better timetable, more trains on the Cotswold Line and make the existing ones more reliable.”

l The CLPG’s annual meeting is being held at the Womens Institute Hall, Moreton, on Saturday, May 22, at 10.30am. For further details and further information about the group, visit clpg.co.uk.