New plans for Kenilworth railway station

Warwickshire County Council has submitted a new bid to build a railway station in Kenilworth.

The authority is looking to the government’s New Stations Fund to support the £11.3 million project, which would allow a new service to connect the town with Leamington Spa and Coventry.

The new plans have been developed by the county council in partnership with train operator London Midland who will also manage the new station.

Councillor Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council’s lead for transport and highways, said: “We are confident we have tabled a very strong bid, and the scheme is ‘shovel ready’ which means we are in a position to quickly deliver the project if we are successful.

“If we get the green the light from the government, we hope to be on site by Autumn 2014.”

Warwickshire County Council has pursued several ultimately unsuccessful attempts to build a new station in Kenilworth.

Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Coventry City Council, Centro and the University of Warwick have all given their support to the latest bid.

Cllr Butlin added: “There are enormous social and economic benefits to Kenilworth from being linked into the rail network with connections at Coventry and train services to and from the north of the county, Birmingham and London, and to Leamington Spa where it will be possible to catch trains to the Thames Valley and London.

“With introduction of the new train service, the benefits are going to be felt over a much wider area as it will help relieve overcrowding on existing services. It is also going to provide better access to employment opportunities in the Coventry and Warwickshire sub-region and support economic growth.”