MP James Gray has said he is satisfied that funding is firmly in place to re-open Corsham Railway Station by the summer of 2003.

Mr Gray had asked a question in parliament about the costs involved and where the money was coming from.

He said he was relieved that Railtrack was not contributing towards the capital costs.

"The omission of Railtrack from the funding process gives me greater confidence in Government assurances of Corsham Station actually re-opening by summer 2003," he said.

"I am satisfied that the Government has secured sufficient funding to re-open Corsham Station."

David Jamieson MP, junior minister at the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, told Mr Gray:

"The total cost of the new station at Corsham is approximately £2.42 million. A grant of £1.28m has been awarded from the Strategic Rail Authority's Rail Passenger Partnership scheme, which is funded by Government."

Mr Jamieson said that most of the cost was being met by North Wiltshire District Council, which is contributing £720,000. Wiltshire County Council is contributing £100,000, Corsham Town Council will meet £25,000 and First Great Western will be paying £40,000 towards the total.

The private sector consortium promoting the nearby Pockeridge Farm housing development is donating £252,000 for the project.

"Railtrack are not contributing to the capital costs," said Mr Jamieson.

Mr Gray said he was particularly pleased to see all layers of local Government working together to fund the project.

"The involvement of county, district and town councils shows that the re-opening of Corsham Station has a wide level of community support," he said.