Fight for Kenilworth Station Goes On
January 17, 2005 11:35 AM
Kenilworth Liberal Democrats have reacted angrily to negative comments from the soon to be disbanded Strategic Rail Authority (S.R.A.) concerning hopes for a new station in Kenilworth.
Responding to questions from a Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson, the S.R.A.'s parliamentary and public communication director James Macmillan wrote:
"The proposed station site at Kenilworth is on a significant single line bottleneck on a busy cross country route, carrying both long-distance passenger and freight services. There is no capacity for existing trains to call at a new station here, nor to operate additional local services which could meet the demand. The existing cross country service does not have the capacity to carry the extra passengers from Kenilworth that would be required if the new station were to be justified financially. In addition, Kenilworth is relatively close to Warwick Parkway station (and has a bus link), and has a frequent bus service to Coventry. We are looking at the possibility of putting back some double track on this route to accommodate the growth in cross country passenger and freight services, but I am afraid that this will not provide the capacity for a local service to Kenilworth."
Councillor Dave Shilton (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Park Hill & Stoneleigh) said:
"The negative attitude of the S.R.A. is not a surprise. They were against both Warwick Parkway and Coleshill Parkway stations originally, and look what a success they have been.
The fight for a station for Kenilworth goes on, and has the full backing of Warwickshire County Council. The new Regional Planning Assessment (RPA) for the West Midlands should include the need for 'North/South Corridor' local rail services through Coventry, of which Kenilworth station would be an integral part."
John Whitehouse (Chairman, Kenilworth Liberal Democrats) said:
"At least this statement brings the S.R.A.'s position clearly out into the open. It is not denying that there may well be demand for a station in Kenilworth, but is saying that under no circumstances can it provide local train services to meet these needs. To make things worse, it is raising the prospect of yet more trains thundering through the town without stopping in the future! It's a good thing that the S.R.A. is about to be abolished!
Kenilworth Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign strongly for a station in Kenilworth, and will continue to support the efforts of groups such as ASK (A Station for Kenilworth)."
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