There is growing support in Gloucestershire for reviving a rail connection between Gloucester and Hereford to accommodate tens of thousands of planned new homes in the region.
The Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway, which served passengers until its closure in November 1964 amid the Beeching cuts, is once again under consideration. County councillors in Herefordshire have proposed a feasibility study to explore reinstating this rail link.
On March 6, Herefordshire Council approved initial discussions with Gloucestershire County Council to jointly assess the possibility of the rail connection and to seek funding from transport ministers. They are also exploring potential private financing for the study. The proposal has received support from leaders in Gloucester and the Forest of Dean.
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Roger Whyborn, Gloucestershire’s cabinet member for sustainable transport, indicated that while the council has no current position on the Hereford-Gloucester line, it welcomes dialogue. He also noted ongoing support for a new station between Gloucester and Lydney, near Churcham, where the Forest of Dean District Council plans a garden town with around 2,500 homes. Additional developments near Highnam in Tewkesbury Borough are also underway, with thousands more homes planned over the next two decades.
The Forest of Dean District Council is revising its local plan to incorporate 13,200 new homes in 20 years, while Herefordshire has set a target exceeding 27,200 homes. This rapid growth highlights the need for robust transport infrastructure.
Forest of Dean’s climate emergency cabinet member, Chris McFarling, emphasized the environmental benefits of a new rail line. He explained that placing new settlements around rail hubs, like Churcham, can reduce car dependency and emissions. “A transport hub would help take cars off the road and provide a sustainable commuting option to Gloucester,” McFarling said. He also pointed to the railway’s potential to ease highway congestion by transporting goods via rail instead of heavy goods vehicles on motorways.
Herefordshire councillor Louis Stark lodged the motion for the rail study, stressing the urgency of forward-thinking infrastructure planning. “Plans for 3,600 houses on the A40 near the M50 will heavily strain the road network,” he said. “We cannot rely solely on roads; rail could provide a sustainable alternative for future growth.” Stark highlighted that Ross-on-Wye could see a 60% population increase, underscoring the need to proactively shape transport solutions. Although parts of the original rail route have been developed, Stark is open to phased construction, beginning with the Gloucester-Ross section.
Gloucester City councillor Jeremy Hilton expressed strong support for reconnecting the historic rail line. He described a feasibility study as essential, emphasizing that government backing would be critical for any construction. Hilton remarked, “If the new Churcham housing development proceeds, a new stop on the railway would be essential.” He concluded, “It’s certainly worth serious investigation to determine if a rail link is achievable.”
As the region prepares for significant housing expansion, renewed interest in this rail corridor offers a promising path toward sustainable, integrated transport solutions.