Warwickshire News Mine

Both the road and footbridges at Coleshill Parkway have been installed and the station is on track for opening in spring of next year.

As a result of the bridge works rail users may have experienced some disruption as the Birmingham to Nuneaton rail line had to be closed on Sunday, October 23, and Sunday, November 5.

The Coleshill Parkway `Multi-Modal Interchange’ comprises of a new railway station and car park at Coleshill/Hams Hall, a rail/bus/pedestrian/cycle/car interchange and an adjoining new bridge at Station Road, Coleshill, for pedestrians, cyclists and buses crossing the Birmingham-Nuneaton rail line.

The scheme was given the all clear earlier this year after the Department for Transport agreed to part-fund the scheme, costing around £9m in total, with the rest of the money coming from Warwickshire County Council, Laing Rail, and developer contributions secured by North Warwickshire Borough Council.

Warwickshire County Council and Laing Rail Projects have signed a 20-year contract committing to the scheme and nationally recognized construction contractor Carillion has been engaged to build it. Network Rail has also played a key role in enabling the scheme to go ahead.

Andy Pearson, Managing Director Laing Rail Projects Ltd, said: “This new railway station will provide a fast rail link into Birmingham, and will help further develop the local economy. I am looking forward to welcoming the first passengers to the station early in 2007.”

The railway station will provide a new two-platform stop for trains on the Birmingham to Nuneaton railway line.  Associated facilities include a car park with priority disabled parking, cycle facilities, ticket office and a pedestrian footbridge.

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Environmental Services, said: ``I’m delighted to see this scheme is on schedule.

“Thanks to partnership working with Laing Rail Projects we are taking huge steps in developing an improved public transport network in the M42 corridor and over a wide area of the north of Warwickshire.”

He said the scheme provides a direct link between Coleshill and Hams Hall by replacing the existing footpath across the railway line. Plus it provides a local station for the people of Coleshill and a link to the Hams Hall development from Nuneaton and Birmingham;

Other advantages with the scheme include the chance to develop a park and ride scheme and dramatically improved rail links to Birmingham International Airport.

Link to WCC