Build a new station instead of expanding old one, urges Cheltenham rail expert

Author: Ashley Curtis - 02 April 2013

Spending millions of pounds on two new platforms for Cheltenham Spa rail station would be money "down the drain", according to one Cheltenham resident.

Instead, rail bosses should be coming up with a brand new station in Tewkesbury Road, says rail expert and resident Ian James. By coming up with a new station design, rail bosses could rejuvenate the town centre "more than the existing station", notes thisisgloucestershire.co.uk.

However, earlier this month saw the Cheltenham Development Taskforce announce plans to double the number of platforms at the station to 'provide a terminus' for trains to and from London Paddington and Wales. In addition, the new platforms could also free up existing ones for trains not terminating at the station, adds i4u.com.

Nonetheless, James remains firm in his view that Cheltenham would be better off with a completely new station.

"The time has come to give Cheltenham a completely new station rather than giving the existing Lansdown station an upgrade. By all means, keep Lansdown, but only as a hub station for passengers wanting to access the top end of town," said James.

"A railway station in Tewkesbury Road would be no further away than the existing station and might be even closer. It would also have the advantage of good bus connections from Tewkesbury Road to the town centre and easy access to the motorway network," he added.