Corsham Station

Railway works at Thingley Junction and Corsham station. 

An extension to Corsham station, including lengthening of the existing platforms and provision of additional sidings. This was rejected by both the War Office and the GWR because it would increase the occupation of the main line by several hours each day while trains were waiting at the station, and could interfere with ammunition shipments. 

Despite the continued pressure from the MOWT it was apparent by 7 September that, given the dramatic cost increases arising elsewhere in the Corsham project, the Treasury was unlikely to sanction the Westwells Branch scheme. The MAP still insisted that road transport, using a fleet of 120 buses, was the most efficient solution, but agreed that if it must use rail then it would favour the alternative solution proposed by Alexander Gibb Partners, involving a new station just east of Melksham. 

No adequate railway-based solution was evolving, but it was not until 6 March, 1942, that the MOWT finally abandoned its insistence on rail transpon and agreed that workers should be brought from Bristol by bus. Unfortunately, in the interim period large sums of money had already been committed to ancillary works which were considered essential to make rail transit viable. Over 18,000 had been spent on land between Clifton Bridge and Ashton Gate station in Bristol on which to build a new station to entrain the workmen and on which to lay sidings to stable the Corsham commuter trains. 

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