Green light for Kenilworth Station

Plans for a new £11.3 million station in Kenilworth have been given final approval today (12 December 2013) under the Government’s multi-million pound New Stations Fund.

The Department for Transport has approved the allocation of £5 million from the fund following confirmation that the station can be built without adversely impacting other network improvements. The station will significantly improve connectivity for passengers and businesses across the West Midlands.

Construction of the station paves the way for new local services to start running between Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa in December 2016.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

“The Government recognises the importance of strong transport links for local communities and the economy. That is why we have been working hard to make sure Kenilworth station becomes a reality.

“This will provide real benefits both to passengers and to local businesses, providing improved connectivity across the West Midlands and to London, and helping create jobs.

“This is further proof of the Government’s determination to transform the network through our record levels of investment.”

In July the Transport Secretary announced he was minded to approve the bid from project sponsor Warwickshire County Council, subject to further work being carried out by Network Rail to assess its viability.

Future work to improve the network could mean direct local electric trains running via Kenilworth to Birmingham in 2019.

The £5 million investment for Kenilworth represents the biggest single allocation since the launch of the New Stations Fund. This is part of the £38 billion being invested in our railways from 2014 to 2019, which will help modernise the railways and provide massive benefits to both passengers and the UK economy.

Kenilworth Station was just one of the bids for the New Stations Fund which has allocated £13.6 million for the construction of new stations since its launch in January. Other successful bids include Lea Bridge (East London); Pye Corner (Wales);Ilkeston(East Midlands) and Newcourt (Devon).