A RAIL users' group claims that the possibility of a direct Evesham to Birmingham railway link with a journey time of just one hour has just moved a step closer.

The Shakespeare Line Promotion Group, said the results from a survey have reinforced support for the need to push the potential rail reopening scheme forward.

A survey carried out by Stratford District Council shows that 63 per cent of respondents supported the reopening of a link between the Cotswold Line at Honeybourne and the current Birmingham-Stratford line.

Such a link would make possible direct services from Evesham, Honeybourne and Long Marston to Birmingham and the West Midlands.

86 per cent of respondents supported a better rail service to and from London. Due to capacity problems on the existing railway north of Stratford, any such improvements for Stratford's service with the capital can only realistically be achieved by reopening the line to Honeybourne.

Fraser Pithie, the group's secretary, said: "The survey results show that local residents see rail expansion as part of the solution to the significant amount of new development in east Worcestershire, north Gloucestershire and south Warwickshire.

We need to pursue a comprehensive and objective study to consider the feasibility, affordability and potential benefits of restoring the line that was closed in 1976.

There is considerable support for reopening the railway from all the local authorities, including Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Oxfordshire County Councils with pressure building on Warwickshire County Council as the only local authority that remains isolated and out on a limb by showing indifference so far towards getting involved.”