Kenilworth station is approved

Kenilworth train station has been given final approval.

The Department for Transport will spend £5 million from its New Stations Fund on the project, which was approved as it was felt that the station will “significantly improve connectivity” for passengers and businesses across the West Midlands.

This is the biggest single investment by the Government since the fund was launched.

Services will run between Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington from 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 to create jobs.

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

Future work to improve the railway network in the region could mean that passengers would be able to travel directly from Kenilworth to Birmingham in 2019.

See next week’s paper for more details on this story.