Editing Golden Valley line (section)

==Reinstatement of second track==
[[File:View of the Golden Valley line, looking towards Stroud.jpg|thumb|Looking towards Stroud]]

The line was originally built as a double track, but in 1968, it was reduced to a single track between Swindon and Kemble as a cost-saving measure. It was initially intended that the entire section between Swindon and Standish Junction would be single track, with passing places at Kemble and Sapperton; however, protests led British Rail to abandon the project after reaching Kemble.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

Network Rail proposed reinstating the second track in September 2008 and then again in September 2009, but the plans were referred to the [[Office of Rail Regulation]] (ORR). Despite protests by local [[Member of Parliament#United Kingdom|MPs]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-06-30a.703.0&m=1494| title=Swindon to Kemble Railway (Redoubling)| date=30 June 2008| website=They Work For You| publisher=MySociety}}</ref> the ORR made a preliminary decision that the project would not be included in the 2009–2014 [[High Level Output Specification]] plan for new rail infrastructure.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/gloucestershire/7699202.stm |title=Extra railway line hopes dashed |work=[[BBC News]] |date=30 October 2008 |access-date=16 November 2008}}</ref> In the [[2011 United Kingdom budget|2011 Budget]], the Government announced that funding for the redoubling would be provided, with works initially scheduled for completion by Spring 2014<ref>{{cite news |title=Chancellor approves Kemble to Swindon railway upgrade |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-12832259 |work=BBC News |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=24 March 2011}}</ref> but later delayed until August 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Swindon to Kemble railway line re-doubling delayed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26067520 |work=BBC News |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=£45m rail doubling from Kemble completed| url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/11433688.__45m_rail_doubling_from_Kemble_completed/?ref=eb| access-date=27 August 2014| work=Wiltshire Gazette & Herald| date=27 August 2014}}</ref>

Initial work involved slewing the single track, which had been moved to the center of the trackbed during the singling works. This was followed by excavation, clearance, and the installation of the new track. Level crossing works were also undertaken. The line was officially reopened by [[Anne, Princess Royal]] in October 2014.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web| url=https://premierconstructionnews.com/2014/11/18/redoubling-swindon-to-kemble-railway-line/| title=Redoubling Swindon to Kemble Railway line| date=17 October 2014| website=Premier Construction News| access-date=26 December 2018}}</ref>

The redoubling was an important step in the [[21st Century upgrade of the Great Western Main Line]], as it provides a diversionary route for trains between London and Cardiff when the [[Severn Tunnel]] is closed or during electrification works between Swindon and {{rws|Severn Tunnel Junction}}.<ref name=":0" />