28.07.17
DfT names five winners of fresh £16m stations fund
The DfT has today announced the successful bidders for a £16m package, part of the second phase of the New Stations Fund, which will serve as extra padding to build five new stations across England and Wales – all guaranteed to be accessible and step-free.
The five successful bids include:
- Horden Peterlee in County Durham, which will receive £4.4m of DfT funding towards a scheme worth £10.55m
- Warrington West in Cheshire, which will receive £4.23m towards a total price tag of £17.2m
- Reading Green Park, which will receive £2.3m towards a project cost of £16.5m
- Bow Street in Ceredigion, Wales, which will receive £3.945m towards the £6.76m total
- Portway Parkway near Bristol, which will receive £1.672mtowards a total project cost of £2.23m
Rail minister Paul Maynard said that the stations will all improve access to the rail network and create new leisure, training, employment and business opportunities for regions, as well as support new housing developments.
All of the stations are due to be completed by March 2020.
“We are committed to improving journeys for passengers right across the country. This means delivering more trains, quicker journeys and making more seats available,” Maynard explained.
“The New Stations Fund is a great example of how our record investment in the railways and work with local authorities and industry is delivering better journeys for passengers and boosting local economies.”
Today’s news marks the second round of funding for the scheme. The initial round has helped deliver stations at Newcourt (Exeter), Lea Bridge (London), Pye Corner (Newport) and Ilkeston, all of which are already open, and Kenilworth, which is due to be completed later this year.
David Biggs, managing director for Network Rail Property, said: “More people than ever are choosing to travel by train and this ambitious investment into brand new stations allows us to meet growing demand while providing greater connectivity across Britain.
“New stations are proven to have a hugely positive effect on local areas, acting as a catalyst for regeneration driving social and economic improvements,” he continued. “We look forward to beginning work on these schemes as part of our continued efforts to create a better railway for Britain.”
The second phase of the fund was first announced in August last year, although the department had initially promised a £20m cash pot.
Top Image: Matt Buck
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