A LOCAL railway enthusiast has been awarded nearly £3,000 to make a feasibility study into the possibility of reopening the Devizes rail line.

Rolf Brindle, from the Spa, Melksham, was one of eight recipients of a Community Innovators Millennium Award, made by Devizes-based Community First at the Corn Exchange last week.

The study will look at the feasibility of resurrecting the line between Holt junction near Trowbridge and Patney on the main West Country-Paddington line.

Mr Brindle hopes to have a report prepared by next October, which will be presented to local councils and other interested bodies.

Mr Brindle will walk the length of the track bed, noting what engineering features needing replacing, and consulting with local councils to see if they are in favour of relaying the line, as well as finding out if there is sufficient demand for a rail link.

Mr Brindle said: "There is a potential for the movement of freight along the line and the Government is very keen to move freight off the roads as much as possible.

"I remember the trains that used to run on that line, although I was very young," he added." The line closed in 1964 as part of Dr Beeching's cuts."

Another recipient at last week's award ceremony was Barry Seed of Cherhill, Calne, who received a grant to pursue the creation of a community web site.