An important issue about sustainable and accessible transport was made by a number of businesses and their representatives. The basic point was made by a very successful engineering business:

‘On a second transport point, rail transport does provide regeneration and growth. Can we put the north south Wiltshire rail link on the agenda? At the moment stations such as Melksham are poorly served. Cannot RDA and others combine to seek proposals for an enhanced service?’

There is a campaign group seeking to achieve much better rail services through the ‘TransWilts’ rail corridor linking Swindon, Chippenham, the West Wiltshire towns and Salisbury. Their case has been strengthened by recent work published by the Department for Transport on 11th March 2009 ‘Delivering a Sustainable Transport System: City and Regional Networks Data Book’ (see http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7968.msg12889#msg12889 - Lee) which provides a range of strategic assessments that support the case. The level of out-commuting in Wiltshire has been referred to in the economic analysis. The pressures on the A350 and A303 main road routes are well known. The case for better more sustainable transport for Wiltshire’s businesses and people is a good one and should continue to be pressed upon First Great Western and other relevant parties.