The planning application for the site close by the railway came up last Thursday.  In brief, the District Council's officers recommended rejection but the planning commitee was overwhelmingly in favour.  As the commitee isn't actually allowed to decide against certain government policies, it now has to go to a higher authority.

See

http://www.wellho.net/mouth/1987_One-Cheer-for-Local-Democracy-Asda-in-Melksham.html

There is scope for some of the arguments against that government will put to be countered by a better public transport / green approach, and by having more life on "that" side of the A350 which includes the station.  At the cost (to Asda!) or a section 106 which is no more that the current one, and a couple of percent on their investment, the train service could be secured, a repoprt that answers more questions well put to government ... and it would gain Asda business as the have said they are looking to traffic from the railway (but we doubt it would be significant until the service was more appropriate)