Cirencester branch line
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The Cirencester Branch Line was a five mile long single track branch railway line that ran from Kemble railway station on the Great Western Railway Golden Valley Line to Cirencester Town via two intermediate stations, Park Leaze Halt, and Chesterton Lane Halt and contained the highest rail crossing point on the River Thames.
History
Opening
In 1841 the branch was opened to provide a link via Kemble to the Great Western Railway network at Swindon.
Stations
Cirencester got a second station when the Midland and South Western Junction Railway opened a station at Watermoor in 1883. The line's terminal, Cirencester station was renamed Cirencester Town in July 1924. A new halt was opened at Chesterton Lane in 1959 and a second, Park Leaze Halt, was opened on 4 January 1960.
Closure
The line was closed in April 1964 (along with the neighbouring branch to Tetbury) as a result of the Beeching Axe.
Future
As of 2016, discussions have taken place regarding the potential of relaying 5km of track from Kemble railway station to Cirencester.[1]