Warwickshire News Mine

An experiment using OpenCalais and Google Maps to tag news stories

Shakespeare Line station improvements

Warwickshire County Council, in partnership with Central Trains, is delivering improvements worth £30,000 at two stations on the Shakespeare Line that will improve journeys for rail users.

Rail users at Stratford on Avon will benefit from a new pedestrian access linking the station to northern areas of the town via Western Road.

The gate will provide easier access to the station for pedestrians and cyclists ensuring that passengers no longer have to take the extended route via Arden Street to reach the station. There has also been a trebling in the amount of covered cycle parking stands available at Stratford to encourage greener travel to the station, and which forms part of the County Council’s ongoing work to encourage more use of sustainable modes of transport. Rail users at Earlswood will benefit from a new waiting shelter on the Stratford bound platform due to installed in late November.

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “The improvements at stations on the Shakespeare Line have been delivered through the Warwickshire Quality Rail Partnership between the County Council and the Rail Industry. The County Council is committed to providing easier access to stations and giving passengers a better waiting environment.  I have no doubt that the improvements will make a real difference for the people who use these stations regularly and encouraging more people to use rail.” 

Mike Haigh, Central Trains Director of Business Development, said: “We are delighted with the improvements that have been made along the Shakespeare Line.  By improving the access to stations and providing a better facilities, we are confident this will improve our customers’ experience. We are grateful to Warwickshire County Council for providing the funding for these improvements.”

Peter Kennard, Chairman of the Shakespeare Line Promotion Group commented: "There has been user pressure for improved station access at various locations for some time. This is a good example of partnership action that answers the needs of the rail passenger and I welcome the new access and new facilities.”

Councillor Martin Heatley went on to say: “The involvement and support of Central Trains has been crucial in delivering the improvements and they would not be possible without their willingness to take on the management of the new facilities.”