Do we need a new railway station between Hinckley & Nuneaton?

Councillors have welcomed plans for an additional railway station between Hinckley and Nuneaton.

Members of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council's leading Executive have responded to a public consultation into Warwickshire County Council's Draft Rail Strategy giving their views on the proposals on behalf of the Borough Council.  

The Warwickshire Draft Rail Strategy 2019-2034 proposes a total of six new stations for Warwickshire including one called Nuneaton Parkway, situated off the A5 between Hinckley and Nuneaton. 

A second new station proposed for Nuneaton could serve the Galley Common and Stockingford areas. 

The document has been drafted in a bid to encourage rail journeys, aiming to build on the growth of rail travel that has increased by 30% in the last five years and 4% in the last year alone in Warwickshire.

The site of the new Nuneaton Parkway Station has been chosen to make the most of housing and employment levels in the area and will offer commuters living in the area better access to Leicester, Coventry, Birmingham, Nottingham and beyond.  If approved, the new station is earmarked for delivery in the next seven to 14 years.

Executive Member for Planning at the Borough Council, Councillor David Bill, welcomed the proposals.  He said: "The proposals would assist with the delivery of both the Midlands Connect Midlands Rail Hub initiative and the A5 Strategy, which this Council already endorses.

"We recognise that the people of this area would benefit from the proposed Nuneaton Parkway Station.  It would offer enhanced services from Hinckley and improved facilities for long distance commuting that will benefit the local economy.

"We are also pressing for its construction to be integrated with an enhanced A5 and asking for a solution to the height clearance problems associated with the railway bridge on the A5.

“We have asked to be kept informed and involved as we have long supported the need for improved services and facilities for passengers travelling to and from Hinckley as this is compatible with supporting all forms of public transport and contributing towards reducing traffic congestion, reducing air pollution and playing a part in combating climate change.

“I would urge anyone with an interest in seeing these proposals come to life to take part in the consultation.”

You can have your say here. The consultation ends on 20th September.