‘EXCITING’ plans to open a ‘new rail line’ west of Oxford going to Bristol have been discussed by MPs.

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey joined members from Wiltshire at Westminster on Tuesday to discuss the extension to the already-proposed East West line linking Oxford to Cambridge.

The new line, they said, could include new ‘parkway’ stations at Grove, Corsham and Royal Wooton Bassett.

The Great Western Railway already runs through all those towns but the MPs group wants to open new stations.

Following the meeting on Tuesday, the group said they would meet reguarly to develop concrete proposals which could be taken forward by government.

Mr Vaizey said in a statement: “The new link between Cambridge and Oxford will provide a vital economic corridor between two of the most vibrant parts of Britain.

“Our proposals involve extending that link through Wantage/ Grove, Swindon and Wiltshire, to provide vital connectivity between Bristol, Swindon and Oxford, linking up communities and stimulating economic growth.”

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced £110m funding for the East West rail link in his Autumn Statement.

Oxfordshire county Council deputy leader Rodney Rose said he hoped the next stage of the project, a rail link from Bicester to Bedford, would be begun no later than 2019.

It was announced earlier this month that the whole project is to be led by former Scotrail boss Phil Verster.

Ed Vaizey has previously lobbied for the re-opening of the Wantage Road station in Grove which was shut in the 1960s.