Coventry rail improvements must be extended – LEP

UPGRADES to the Coventry to Nuneaton rail link must be extended if the scheme is to be successful, the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership has said.

The government has already allocated £10m towards phase one of the so-called NUCKLE but the LEP has said the extension of the scheme further south is warranted if it is to be as effective as possible.

Phase one of the project will see stations created at Bermuda Park in Nuneaton and at the Ricoh Arena as well as a new platform at Coventry city station.

The full scheme proposes a new station at Kenilworth and the extension of the service to Leamington.

David Tucker, vice chairman of the LEP’s transport group, said that while the government investment was welcome, the second phase of the project had to go ahead.

“It is very good news that the first phase will now happen and I am delighted to hear from Coventry City Council that applications will be made early in the New Year but we have to have a dual focus,” he said.

“We must also keep the pressure up for subsequent phases to become a viable proposition.”

He said the LEP would continue to lobby for the extension and would be utilising connections at Westminster to try and ensure the second phase remained a transport priority.

“We know there are jobs available in the south of the county which cannot be accessed by people in the north and NUCKLE would be a massive help in rectifying that,” he added.

“Currently it is a barrier to growth, something the LEP has been formed to break down.”