The big question being asked today is what next following the opening of the Borders Railway. In the short term, there are a number of new stations plus a short section of line. Medium to long term is a little bit more difficult to predict with many projects moving through the various processes that many rail enhancements need to successfully complete before anyone can turn up at site with a digger and fencing.
This post reviews the current situation for the railway stations due to be opened in 2015. Future posts will review proposals expected to open during 2016 and beyond.
New railway stations for 2016 have suffered from a gentle slide in timescales. If the project has not been linked to additional railway infrastructure, the opening date has been delayed.
By the end of 2016, five railway stations are earmarked for opening.
- Coventry Arena
- Bermuda Park
- Apperley Bridge
- Oxford Parkway
- Cranbrook
The opening of Oxford Parkway will open a new chord and upgrade a former branch line to a mainline serving London and potentially Bedford and Milton Keynes.
Oxford Parkway
Driver training has just commenced on the railway line serving Oxford Parkway, with trains becoming a regular occurrence as the delivery team prepare for 26th October opening date. The project team are expecting to meet this deadline.
Cranbrook
Expected to be one of the first openings of the year, it is likely to be one of the last. The project has been impacted by local wildlife, the sewer running through the site and difficulties with the signalling system. Although there has been no confirmation of the opening date, it is expected to open this year.
Coventry Arena and Bermuda Park
Sliding along together are these two stations on the Coventry to Nuneaton railway line. Impacted by a number of delays and safety concerns following major events, the new stations are expected to open in November.
Apperley Bridge
Rapidly approaching completion, the station is very close towards opening. Although it was expected to open in August it appears that the opening date has slipped to October/November.
A final mention should be made of Kirkstall Forge, which was also due in August. A number of suggestions have been put forward but it is understood that potentially this station will not be opened until early 2016. If that situation changes, this blog will be updated.