Warwickshire County Council has ‘rubber-stamped’ proposals for a multi-million pound upgraded rail link between Nuneaton and Coventry.
The full council has agreed the plans for a station at Bermuda Park and will formally submit a planning application for the key element of ‘NUCKLE’ and contribute an additional £2 million to the scheme.
Cllr Peter Butlin said: “This is welcome news, in particular for the people of Bedworth and surrounding areas, as this rail link is desperately needed to improve job prospects for the unemployed.
“We believe this improvement to the transport infrastructure will make a massive difference to people’s lives and have a positive impact on job creation.
“There are so many economic regeneration benefits to this rail link because it will improve the opportunities for work, leisure and services for residents.
“There will be even more growth in the corridor between Nuneaton and Coventry in the future, and this scheme will help to reduce congestion and deliver more reliable trains between the two destinations.
“In the longer term, we are aiming to extend the service northwards from Nuneaton to the East Midlands and southwards from Coventry to a new station at Kenilworth and onto Leamington Spa.”
NUCKLE will mean an increase in the frequency of services between Nuneaton and Coventry, a new station at Bermuda Park, longer platforms at Bedworth station and a new station at Coventry Arena.
The additional £2m county council funding brings the total contribution up to £2.8m.
A final submission is being made to the Department of Transport this month and Government approval is expected in December.
It is anticipated that the scheme will be completed in Winter 2013.
