Media centre

Friday 24 Jun 2005

WARWICKSHIRE COMMUTERS BACK ON THE RAIL NETWORK AS BEDWORTH STATION RE-OPENS WITH A £12,000 MAKEOVER

Region & Route:

Release: Embargoed until 0.01 hours on Friday 24th June Date: 24th June 2005 Ref: PAM 066 Media Enquiries: 0121 654 1278 Your trains are back! That’s the message from Central Trains to Warwickshire commuters as Bedworth Station officially re-opens today. Bedworth rail users have been reconnected to the rail network thanks to the re-introduction of trains between Coventry, Bedworth and Nuneaton. To mark the event, Bedworth Station has been given a £12,000 makeover that includes brand new waiting shelters, benches and handrails, rubbish and vegetation clearance, repairs to the customer help points and new signs. Local MP Mike O’Brien who has been has been pressing for the return of trains on the route says: "It has been over 12 months since we had a train service running from Bedworth so I am delighted to see that services have been resumed. When the trains were suspended there was concern among the residents that Bedworth will lose its train station. I met with the Strategic Rail Authority and Central Trains last year to seek assurances. Now the station has been re-opened and it has been given an uplift which will make it much more pleasant for travellers." Central Trains Station Facilities Manager Robbie Moir added: “I am delighted that we have been able to invest in better facilities at Bedworth Station. With brand new waiting shelters and benches as well as a huge clean up the station is now welcoming passengers back onto the restored hourly train service between Coventry, Bedworth and Nuneaton.