England and Wales to have five new train stations

More than £16 million will be invested in building five new railway stations in England and Wales, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

The new stations fund, which aims to give local communities improved rail services, will be providing the money. This is the second round of funding, the first round last year saw money go towards building several stations, many of which are now complete.

The successful bids for this second round of funding are:

• Horden Peterlee, County Durham which will receive £4.4 million from the Government towards the £10.55 million scheme;
• Warrington west, Cheshire which will receive £4.23 million of Government funding towards a £17.2 million project cost;
• Reading Green Park which will receive £2.3 million towards a £16.5 million project;
• Bow Street in Ceredigion, Wales which will receive £3.945 million towards a £6.76 million project that will act as a park and ride site for two stations;
• Portway Parkway, Bristol which will receive £1.627 million towards a £2.23 million project.

It is hoped all of the stations will be completed by March 2020.

Paul Maynard, Rail minister has said:

"The stations will improve access to the rail network and create new leisure, training, employment and business opportunities, as well as supporting new housing developments. All of the stations will be completed by March 2020."