Rail improvements on track

A ‘spade in the ground’ event marked the start of work on a brand new rail station that forms part of a £13.6 million rail upgrade that will see two new stations built on the Coventry to Nuneaton rail line.

The event, which was held at Bermuda Industrial Estate in Nuneaton, celebrated the start of work on the Bermuda Park rail station and was attended by Claire Perry MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport.

The Department for Transport is funding up to £4.75 million of the scheme, with a financial contribution from the European Regional Development Fund, and the remainder being met by Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and Centro.

The Minister was joined by representatives from Warwickshire County Council, Marcus Jones MP for Nuneaton, Arley & Hartshill, Coventry City Council, Network Rail, London Midland, Centro (The West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive), SLC Rail and Buckingham Group.

The new station at Bermuda Park is much needed to enable people and businesses in and around the south of Nuneaton to gain quick and easy access to local, regional and national rail networks.

The station will also improve access to job opportunities in the Nuneaton – Coventry corridor, including serving Bermuda Park industrial estate.

With increasing numbers of companies and residents being drawn to the area, fulfilling that need becomes ever more urgent.

In addition to the two new stations that will be built at Bermuda Park and Coventry Arena, the platforms at Bedworth Station will be extended as part of the scheme, boosting local people’s access to this crucial transport route.

This upgrade will provide enhanced travel links to major new developments along the line including the Friargate business district, next to Coventry railway station.

The works are scheduled for completion in May 2015.