Councillors are demanding answers as to why a multi-million pound scheme to improve access to Gloucester railway station failed.

A Liberal Democrat motion due to be debated on Thursday, 23 March will discuss the failure of the city council's Growth Deal 3 bid to secure funding to improve the linkages to and from the railway station and the creation of a memorable space outside the main entrance.

The motion calls for the cabinet member to produce a report on why the bid failed, what lessons have been learnt and how the council can succeed funding in the future.

Work will soon start on a new station car park serviced off Great Western Road.

Gloucester Liberal Democrats leader Cllr Jeremy Hilton, who will move the motion, said: "Lib Dems are disappointed that the multi-million pound bid failed.

"We would love to see a complete upgrading of the subway that runs from Great Western Road to Bruton Way with an impressive new plaza outside the station's main entrance.

"The subway is a busy pedestrian route between the hospital and the city centre. It is impassable for people using a wheelchair. It is grotty and a blot on Gloucester's landscape."

Cllr Joanne Brown, who represents Barnwood for the Lib Dems and is seconding the motion, added: "With construction on the new bus station starting shortly, we must start working on a scheme to improve the linkages between it and the railway station.

"The council must do better next time it bids for external funding. We cannot have a brand new bus station adjacent to a tired and ugly railway station.

"The subway must be made accessible for disabled people."

The Liberal Democrat motion reads:

This council expresses its disappointment that its Growth Deal 3 bid, 'Gloucester Railway Station, A Gateway to Economic Growth' failed to secure funding.

This council agrees that further investment in Gloucester Railway Station and its links to both Gloucester Royal Hospital and the city centre are important to Gloucester's regeneration.

It also agrees that major improvements to the subway from Great Western Road to Bruton Way should be part of such a scheme.

This council asks the cabinet member for regeneration to provide a report to all elected members on why this Growth Deal 3 bid failed and what lessons have been learned.

The report to also recommend a way forward on how the council can secure funding to deliver improvements to Gloucester Railway Station and its subway as suggested in the Growth Deal Bid.

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