Secretary of State visits Kenilworth Station site

Warwickshire County Council’s £12 million construction project of the new Kenilworth Station was visited by the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin on Monday 23 February to see the benefits that rail investment is bringing to Warwickshire.

The Minister was met by Jeremy Wright MP for Kenilworth, Warwickshire County Council’s Deputy Leader, Councillor Alan Cockburn, and Mayor of Kenilworth, Councillor John Cooke.

Warwickshire County Council is constructing the new £12 million station, for which the Department for Transport (DfT) has awarded nearly £5 million towards the cost of construction, following a successful bid to the New Stations Fund. It’s part of £38 billion being invested to modernise the UK’s railways over the next few years.

The project is being managed by Warwickshire County Council and SLC Rail. Demolition work on the site will begin shortly, with construction due to start early next year for a planned opening of the station in December 2016.

The building of Kenilworth Rail Station is part of a major rail enhancement scheme designed to encourage economic regeneration between Nuneaton and Leamington Spa. A new rail passenger service from Coventry to Leamington will mean that Kenilworth passengers will be able to access a wide number of destinations with just one change.

Councillor Alan Cockburn, Deputy Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “I was delighted to welcome the Minister to Kenilworth so he could see for himself our plans to construct the new rail station, which will be a great asset for the people and businesses of the town.

“Improving transport infrastructure in the county is a key priority for Warwickshire County Council and we’re extremely pleased that the Department of Transport invested in this project.

“It is an indication of their confidence in Warwickshire County Council and the new station will bring numerous benefits to Kenilworth, attracting visitors and improving the local economy, while enabling people living in the town to reach a wide range of destinations by train within just one change.”

Councillor John Cooke, Mayor of Kenilworth, said: “As the largest town in the country without a rail link, Kenilworth residents are delighted to welcome the building of a new station exactly 50 years after the closure of the previous one.”

It is anticipated that Kenilworth will be a town centre ‘destination’ station, encouraging tourists and retail customers into town, while also providing a new community facility with good links to other transport services and on-site facilities.

Warwickshire County Council has a strong record of rail investment, with other current projects including the building of a new station at Bermuda Park in Nuneaton. Other recent projects include the opening of the £6.9 million Stratford Parkway Rail Station in 2013.