Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway, the transportation hub providing convenient access to the town for both commuters and tourists, is marking a decade since the railway station opened.
The station, designed and built by Warwickshire County Council, opened its doors seven months ahead of schedule on May 19, 2013, under budget, and as part of the Stratford-upon-Avon Sustainable Transport Project.
Despite the challenges of Covid, more than 700,000 passengers have used the station since it opened.
Jan Matecki, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, said: “Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway station is a shining example of our commitment to sustainable transport and ensuring that residents and visitors are supported through excellent transport infrastructure. We look forward to working with our partners to continue to enhance the station’s services and facilities for the benefit of the community.”‘
Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway has a Park and Ride with over 700 car parking spaces and offers easy access to the A46. The station has played a vital role in reducing traffic congestion on the roads and promoting sustainable transport in the region.
The project was completed seven months ahead of schedule thanks in part to the support of SLC Rail in securing funding, tendering for contractors, and project management.
Ian Walters, Managing Director of SLC Rail, said, “Warwickshire County Council has opened five new stations in 18 years, demonstrating a deep commitment to improving connectivity through rail. With excellent train services and transportation links, we anticipate Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway’s continued success in the next 10 years.”
West Midlands Railway now manages Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway station and provides train services to Kidderminster, Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-upon-Avon. Chiltern Railways also operates services at the station to Leamington Spa. Travel to and from Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway is promoted by the Friends of the Shakespeare Line and the station has its own dedicated station adoption group.
Jonny Wiseman, West Midlands Railway customer experience director, said: “Since opening a decade ago we have seen consistent growth in passengers using Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway station which is testament to the convenience of the facility both for people travelling towards Birmingham and into Stratford itself.
“In the past year we have seen passengers returning in healthy numbers following the pandemic and I am confident this trend will continue as the popularity of rail travel continues to endure.”
Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway’s 10th anniversary serves as a testament to the success of the collaboration between Warwickshire County Council, SLC Rail, and other project contributors. It has had a positive impact on the region’s transportation infrastructure and will continue to do so for years to come.
