Stratford businesses urged to get on board with station improvements

Stratford businesses are being urged on to get on board with plans to revamp the town’s railway station.

London Midland and Warwickshire County Council have already secured £750,000 to transform the station, but a call is going out to local businesses to support the scheme.

The train company and the county council have joined forces with Business Supporting Stratford to appeal to local organisations to throw their weight behind the redevelopment of the station.

Proposals would see a new glass entrance and booking hall replacing the old ‘parcels cage.’ There will also be improvements to waiting areas including a new accessible toilet.

Councillor Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, said: “The station is a major gateway to a world-class tourist destination. It is the first impression almost a million people get of Stratford as they use the station each year. The improvements will make a big difference.

“Warwickshire County Council is committed to investing in the county’s transport infrastructure and I’m delighted that we are contributing to delivering these improvements, working with London Midland and Network Rail.

“However, there are further enhancements that can be made to the scheme currently proposed, but we need to secure some extra funds. We’re hopeful that some of Stratford’s major players will want to get involved.”

London Midland’s Head of Route, Brenda Lawrence, said: “The public reaction we have had so far has been very positive. There is a real opportunity here for local businesses to get on board and help us push this iconic landmark to the next level.”

Cllr Phillip Johnson, Chair of Warwickshire County Council’s Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: “Warwickshire residents will see the value of these changes, which will make the Stratford-upon-Avon Rail Station a more enjoyable and lively place to be.

“Warwickshire County Council realises how important it is to make sure the railway stations in our region are the greatest they can be and I welcome the work that London Midland will be undertaking towards realising that in Stratford.”

Any business or enterprise which feels it could financially support the scheme can find more details on the Supporting Stratford website at http://www.supportingstratford.co.uk/Default.aspx?id=670608

Please get in touch no later than 31st October 2015, as the fully-funded scheme needs to be finalised by the end of this year in order to ensure your new station is ready by December 2016.