Local Conservatives have welcomed a further step forward in their vision for an improved train station for Redditch today with the announcement of an additional £1 million funding from central government to help kick-start the scheme.
The ‘Getting Building Fund’ was announced as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s ‘New Deal’ style response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdown. The fund is designed to support ‘shovel ready’ projects to progress in the next 18 months and kick-start the economy.
The news was welcomed by the town’s Member of Parliament, Rachel Maclean, who said: “Our long-held vision to unlock the potential of Redditch takes another step forward with this important funding announcement. As a team we are always pushing for more for Redditch and I’m delighted this bid was successful.”
The Redditch Rail Quarter and Interchange is one of 5 schemes that underpin the Redditch prospectus for growth that set out the ambition to reinvent Redditch as a vibrant town centre in Worcestershire, and capable of supporting the growth of the Combined Authority area providing key transport access from Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
The Railway Station is an important gateway into the town; however it currently gives a poor impression of Redditch for anyone arriving by train. The vision for this location to be significantly upgraded and regenerated with new investment in the Railway Station building and car park, the comprehensive re-development of adjacent vacant land parcels and high quality public realm improvements and improved connectivity into the Town Centre.
Rachel Maclean said:
“Following COVID-19 it’s important we recharge the Redditch economy and that means getting money into local infrastructure projects that are ambitious but credible.”
Councillor Matt Dormer, Leader of Redditch Borough Council, added:
“This funding will be used to help bring forward a technical and detailed business case to underpin the train station development, which also includes working in partnership to build an additional 50 housing units in the area, boosting economic growth in our town centre and driving regeneration.”
