STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus

An integrated vision and delivery masterplan for Leamington Spa Station

LEAMINGTON SPA STATION November 2020 FOREWORD

Introducing the concept of Stations as Places The Stations as Places programme aims to promote local railway stations as community ‘hubs’ rather than simply access points onto the rail network. The vision is to develop local railway stations as an asset highly valued within the community, contributing to economic growth and acting as a hub for creativity, heritage and social amenity.

The Vision “We will develop stations as quality gateways between communities and the railway, supporting the changing needs of our passengers, residents and visitors. Stations in the West Midlands will be community assets, supporting the wellbeing and development of the areas they serve through involving local community and business.” ~ West Midlands Station Alliance (WMSA) Mission Statement

What does the prospectus do for Leamington Spa Station? This Opportunity Prospectus sets out the economic, social and geographic landscape of the area around the station and highlights some of the opportunities for commercial development, partnership working, inward investment and community regeneration.

Leamington Spa is a creative hub in the West Midlands and continues to build on its ‘Silicon Spa’ status with the Creative Quarter redevelopment, currently focused around Spencer Yard. Significant development along the Europa Way corridor will bring new homes and community space to the town, including a new stadium and athletics track. Hosting the bowls event as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will highlight Leamington Spa on an international stage, providing a local and regional economic boost in employment, visitor footfall and spending.

Leamington Spa Station will be an important transport gateway, making now the prime time to identify opportunities for improvement at the station and strengthen the role of the station in the community. Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Reviving our Railway

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused massive economic and social disruption. The Department for Transport has replaced the rail franchising system with Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements (ERMAs) which will address the continuing impact of the pandemic on the railway, whilst delivering on a government commitment to replace the current franchising system. The new system will create a simpler, more effective structure and will take shape over the coming months.

We were proud to keep our railways running during the pandemic to serve key workers and allow them to travel safely.

We are now in a phase of reviving our railways and the communities they serve.

There are big new challenges for our Stations as Places Programme: • Passenger numbers will take time to recover. • The way in which station buildings are used has changed. • City, town and local centres will have to reinvent themselves as retailers withdraw and office buildings are less full. • Ways of funding new investment will need to be transform.

Stations as Places will be forward looking and opportunistic. ‘The moment is now’ for stations to harness community spirit, pursue more entrepreneurial ways of using station buildings and support the revitalisation of high streets and local centres. Contents

Chapter Page

Why ‘Stations as Places’ for Leamington Spa Station? 1

Bringing our partners together 2

About Leamington Spa Station 3 - 8

The Headline Opportunities – The Station 9

The Headline Opportunities – The Surrounding Area 10 - 11

Opportunity Plan 12

Understanding the potential for growth 13

The Aspiration 14 - 15

Development Opportunities 16

Opportunities for Investment 17

Action Plan 18

Who to contact and how to get involved 19

1 Why ‘Stations as Places’ for Leamington Spa Station?

Who are the West Midlands Station Alliance? THE VISION The WMSA is a formal alliancing arrangement between industry partners with a common vision and forward plan, including infrastructure owner Network Rail, station facilities owner Chiltern Railways, operator West Midlands Trains (WMT) and West Midlands Rail Executive. The role of the WMSA is to facilitate Stations as Places by bringing together various stakeholders to work together in partnership, ensuring that the Stations as Places vision and local aspirations are shared between the stakeholders, the infrastructure owner, the station facilities owner and the local government.

Why has Leamington Spa Station been selected? Leamington Spa railway station, located on the Chiltern Main Line, is an important station for commuters into Birmingham, London Marylebone and Oxford, as well as other destinations such as Coventry and Solihull. It is also a key station on the CrossCountry network. With the 2022 Commonwealth Games approaching, this is a prime time for Leamington Spa to invest in the station and surrounding area, delivering improvements which would benefit regular users, the local community and businesses in the town. This Prospectus provides an opportunity to engage with the stakeholders of Leamington Spa station to capture the opportunities and commitment to delivering improvements at the station, making the station a gateway worthy of such a historic and beautiful town.

The drivers for developing this location Passenger numbers at Leamington Spa have increased by over 100% from 2003 to 2013, well above the UK national average, and are expected to continue increasing. The town centre itself suffers from congestion and poor air quality; it is therefore essential that passengers are encouraged to access the station using more sustainable modes. In turn, increasing footfall around the station presents an opportunity for businesses to benefit. With 4,500 new homes and community facilities expected to be delivered in the Europa Way corridor alone, significant housing development on the edges of the town will only increase use of the station. Combined with the 2022 Commonwealth Games placing Leamington Spa on an international stage, exciting proposals to reinvigorate the station forecourt highlight the need to ensure the station itself and surrounding area deliver an equally welcoming and attractive gateway to the town.

2 Bringing our Partners together Our stakeholders really matter to us. Stakeholder feedback is key to creating a prospectus that resonates with different audiences and ensures consensus on the future of the station and surrounding area. We want to ensure that what we collect and receive is representative and inclusive. Our approach to capturing local insights in Leamington Spa covers the following four dimensions:

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE SOCIAL VALUE Railways stations should reflect and cater for the Transforming a railway station from a ‘passenger local community to which it serves thoroughfare’ into a genuine community asset will To help shape the future of the station to meet the needs have a positive impact on the local community of the local community, involving them in the planning Residents and businesses are more likely to take process is critical. Community involvement helps to ownership of their local station if it is a pleasant and safe make a station a more attractive and valuable community place to be, meets their needs and represents local asset. Stations as Places aims to establish strong links people and heritage. A railway station as a valued between the station management and businesses, the community hub can offer a real contribution to improving community and other local stakeholders, ensuring that social inclusion and mental wellbeing; from promoting the voice of the community is heard. inclusivity through the Friends of’ Leamington Spa Station group or simply making waiting as a part of a morning commute more pleasant.

LEGACY COMMUNITY An important objective of Stations as Places is to A railway station is often a great asset to a provide a long-term legacy by establishing integration community, but a community can also be a great and community involvement at the heart of the station. asset to a railway station This will involve the community taking a level of ownership The enthusiasm and longevity of Friends of Leamington of the stations and passing this onto the future generations Spa Station demonstrates the value of the station as a to keep each station a valuable part of the local community asset, however there is room to grow this community. Of course, Network Rail, West Midlands community involvement. Most importantly, an integrated Trains and the Local Government will also have an station shows that people care and that they have important role in the legacy of the station and that is why something to be proud of, improving social inclusion and partnership working between the community and these mental wellbeing whilst making the station a more organisations is so important. pleasant place to be.

3 ABOUT LEAMINGTON SPA STATION

Key Facts Did you know? The station is situated to the south of the town centre off Old Warwick Road, between the River Leam and the Leamington Spa used to Grand Union Canal. It sits to the north of light industrial land and out of town retail areas as well as the residential be a tiny village, known as zones of Warwick Gates, Whitnash and Sydenham. Passenger volumes place Leamington Spa as the fourth Leamington Priors, until busiest station on the Chiltern Railways network, after London Marylebone, Birmingham Moor Street and High saline springs were Wycombe. rediscovered in 1784.

Following this discovery, ‘The Royal Pump Room and Baths’ were opened in 1814 and so began the development of Leamington Priors as a spa town.

In the late 1990s, the process of restoring the Pump Rooms began by relocating Leamington’s Art Gallery, Museum and Library to the Pump Rooms. Later, a new Station Typology Tourist Information Centre Leamington Spa is a ‘Key Corridor Station’ located on the Chiltern Main Line and the Coventry to Leamington Line, and Café were added, served by three operators – Chiltern Railways, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry. creating a major cultural Leamington Spa station is also a ‘Local Gateway’, providing access to the town of Royal Leamington Spa, and and tourist attraction. The project is also a central should therefore have a high-quality sense of arrival. element in a wider strategy to use arts, heritage and There is a strong orientation towards commuting and meeting rail users’ expectations by providing frequent and leisure facilities to help reliable services on attractive rolling stock, especially during peak periods. The station environment provides regenerate south convenient and appropriate waiting facilities and complementary services. Leamington’s ‘Old Town’

4 ABOUT LEAMINGTON SPA STATION - Station Lease Plan Land within the blue line boundary is leased by Network Rail to Chiltern Railways. Chiltern Railways is required to meet lease holder conditions on behalf of the landlord, Network Rail. This comprises of maintenance and enhancements to station areas, including the station buildings, platforms, car park and facilities.

5 ABOUT LEAMINGTON SPA STATION - Service and Timetables

Leamington Spa Station is served by three operators – Chiltern Railways, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry.

The station is on the Chiltern Mainline between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone and on the Leamington Spa to Coventry branch line.

Service details • At least two Chiltern Railways services operate between Birmingham Snow Hill or Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone hourly (with 5 early morning services starting at Kidderminster or Stourbridge Junction)

• West Midlands Railway provide the local service between Nuneaton and Leamington Spa, calling at Coventry and Kenilworth

• Hourly CrossCountry service from Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth, calling at Coventry and Leamington Spa

• Hourly CrossCountry service from the North via Birmingham New Street to Reading, calling at Leamington Spa

Timetables • https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/timetables • https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/before-you-travel/download-our-timetable • https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/travel-updates-information/train-timetables

6 ABOUT LEAMINGTON SPA STATION - Station Layout and Facilities

Station Facilities

Lifts to all platforms

Waiting area on each platform Refreshment kiosks on each platform Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities

Bicycle storage

Ticket office

Automated ticket machines

Taxi rank

Car park

Pay phone

Post box Toilet Facilities Waiting Area Café/Refreshments Lifts ATM machine Ticket Hall Cycle Parking Parking Taxi Rank

7 ABOUT LEAMINGTON SPA STATION - What do we know?

PASSENGERS STATION FACILITIES PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WALKING AND 2,773,782 IN 2018/19 • Ticket office located in main CYCLINGACCESS STATION FOOTFALL entrance available hall from 05:25-22:00 on weekdays, 05:40- • Double-decker cycle racks provided on • Footfall rose by 4.1% from 2017/18, 22:00 on Saturdays and 08:15- platforms 1/2 and 3/4 with capacity for 198 this is expected to continue rising 21:35 on Sundays bicycles • 245,367 interchanges were made • Ticket machines are located in • National Cycle Route 41 passes through the at the station in FY 18/19 the entrance hall station forecourt • Customer information screens • Bus stop immediately outside the station in and announcements are provided the forecourt and stops located on Old on all platforms Warwick Road serving Leamington Spa, Warwick, Coventry and Stratford-upon-Avon CRIME & SAFETY • The station is served by two food • Of the crimes recorded by 20 and drink outlets, one on each British Transport Police, 35% CRIMES platform (1/2 & 3/4) were pedal crimes and 30% RECORDED • Accessible toilets are provided on were verbal abuse of staff. IN 2019/20 each platform, including baby • The area around the station is considered changing facilities to be relatively safe, improvements to cycle parking are likely to improve this.

CAR PARKING AND ACCESSIBILITY • 622 chargeable parking spaces are available to the west of the station on Old Warwick Road. 84 LOCAL ACTIVITIES paid chargeable spaces are located in the station • Located within walking/cycling distance of the Old Town and cultural/heritage forecourt. 8 additional free accessible spaces are attractions such as Jephson Gardens, the Old Library and Art Gallery to the north, provided. as well as Leamington Shopping Park to the south west • The main pedestrian entrance to the station from • New housing development (Myton Green) under construction, located opposite Old Warwick Road is provided in the form of a Leamington Shopping Park off the A452, connected to the station by National Equality Act compliant ramp Cycle Route 41 • Lifts are provided to all platforms

8 The Headline Opportunities THE STATION

Physical Improvements The station building itself is an important heritage asset for the town, however the internal station environment is in need of redecoration and upgrade to enhance passenger experience. There is vast scope to ensure the internal environment matches the art-deco exterior and the current blank white spaces on the walls of the station would provide an excellent canvas to create a sense of place which integrates with wayfinding in the town and draws out the history of Leamington Spa. This could also integrate with Commonwealth Games themes and wayfinding and become a changing, community space. The forecourt is currently dominated by car parking with little consideration of the public realm, the proposed forecourt Unattractive and uninviting pedestrian & cycle improvement works (further information provided on page 13) will improve accessibility and provide route through the subway could be improved increased facilities for cyclists and pedestrians as well as electric vehicle infrastructure. It will be important to promote connectivity to the Old Town for this prospectus to continue collaboration with the forecourt improvement scheme.

Operational improvements The station currently provides good facilities and statistics indicate that passengers are satisfied with the service provided. Over 50% of users currently travel to the station on foot and the majority of passengers travel for ten minutes or less to reach the station. However, demand for car parking and congestion around the station remains high. There is insufficient capacity to accommodate car parking demand and no scope to increase the size of the car parking area, particularly as the proposed forecourt improvement Internal station environment is in need of will further reduce car parking capacity. Improving the cycle facilities available and interchange with bus cleaning and redecoration to enhance the services could encourage less car use, alternative parking pricing strategies could be considered to user experience and station heritage encourage regular users/season ticket holders to rethink the last mile of their journey.

Integration For the benefit of the community and its station, it is fundamental to enhance travel choice and connectivity to local development and centers. Funding can be levied from developers in order to enhance existing walking and cycling infrastructure, whilst travel planning engagement and information resources can increase awareness of sustainable modes to rail users and local residents. In particular, proposed improvements to the station forecourt and Commonwealth Games preparation should consider Accessibility and maintenance of access improvements to wayfinding and interchange, providing better information and increased opportunities for routes is currently poor, improvements would sustainable travel. benefit pedestrians and cyclists

9 The Headline Opportunities THE SURROUNDING AREA

Connectivity via National Cycle Housing Route 41 from Europa Way development to ‘Last Mile’: Wider connectivity improvements housing developments and Spencer Yard east of the town proposed sports/community Creative centre, along Despite being a significant local gateway, pedestrian routes to the facilities at Gallows Hill Quarter Radford Rd and station from Old Town are unclear and discontinuous. Southam Rd Old Warwick Road and Bath Street are often congested with fast moving vehicles, unconducive to cycling and may deter some Commonwealth Games Bowls pedestrians. Improved cycling and pedestrian connectivity was event to be held in Victoria Park provided to Lower Avenue via the station subway as well as improved crossing facilities on Spencer Street, however the route is poorly signposted and narrow. Cutting back greenery would help to improve useable space. Were this route promoted, it would be a significantly shorter and quieter route to the Old Town than via busy Bath Street and provide better access to bus services on Parade. Trains to Coventry Further improvements to local public realm and walking and cycling connectivity could realise mode shift to more sustainable travel modes, reducing locally generated traffic and improving the environment for local residents, bringing it in line with the historic Trains to surroundings in the town. Increased travel planning Warwick engagement with new and existing residents can help to realise positive mode shift from car travel.

National Cycle Route 41 connects Myton, located west of the town, to the station via the canal and Old Warwick Road. Significant housing development is underway at Myton and along Europa Way, cycling should therefore be promoted as the preferred Trains to transport mode for accessing London the station from these new 1 mile radius sites.

10 The Headline Opportunities THE SURROUNDING AREA

Investment in surrounding land use activities The Commonwealth Games will provide a fantastic opportunity to link the station, as the key gateway to the town, with the surrounding area by providing cohesive wayfinding and enhancing the sense of place, as well as encouraging sustainable travel to the Bowls event. The station is located between the New and Old Town, connected by Old Warwick Road with residential areas to the south. Significant retail and food and drink outlets are located to the Spencer north and east, providing opportunity for local behavioural Yard initiatives to make station ‘feel’ alive and vibrant. The internationally significant games development industry based in the Creative Quarter at Spencer Yard is, at present, hidden away with little to indicate the location so close to the station. Forging links between the station, the Creative Quarter and the food and drink outlets nearby could be mutually beneficial and the outdoor space at Spencer Yard would provide a fantastic venue for events, such as active travel or Friends of Leamington Spa Station community events. The Old Town benefits from the beautiful Jephson Gardens and Royal Pump Room gardens as well as it’s historic spa town status and conservation area, this history is not visible at the station however. Providing clearer links to the historic town, through use of historic photos, improved wayfinding and public realm at the station would help to link the visitor economy in the town with the station itself.

Potential Station Neighbours: Piccolinos restaurant, The Old Library Public House, Spencer Yard Creative Quarter, Blue Basil vintage shop and café, Temperance cafe

11 OPPORTUNITY PLAN

Renew tactile paving Improve Establish relationship with station neighbours, where worn along current blank including the Creative Quarter based at Spencer Yard platform edges Improve white spaces lighting on internal and station walls, damp in providing subway historical and as well community as features as signage well as a ‘last to New mile’ Town information point Cut back vegetation Promote and improve existing cycle connection connectivity to New along Old Town via Warwick Lower Ave. Road, particularly at new housing developments Improve public realm in station forecourt, including to the south enhanced permeability to nearby bus stops and west provision of EV charging facilities Install new Cycle Hub in station forecourt 12 Understanding the POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH

Proposed Station Forecourt Improvements New Developments in Leamington Spa

Significant issues have been identified with the station forecourt Significant housing development is planned or currently under and existing public realm, including the damp, uninviting construction at Myton Green (735 homes), Warwick Gates (750 pedestrian subway and the current dominance of car parking. homes), Gallows Hill (630 homes) and Crown Hill Gardens (150 homes). A traveller site is also in the planning stage to the south Warwickshire County Council is currently exploring detailed of the town, off Harbury Lane. designs for improvements to the forecourt which would include: A masterplan has been created for a new Community Stadium A new secure cycle hub, electric vehicle charging points, for a range of community sports and leisure activities including improved car park layout and enhanced public realm. football on land at Gallows Hill, to the south of Royal Leamington Spa. Along with its community role, the 5,000-seat stadium will The new forecourt will incorporate the heritage of the station with also be the home ground for Leamington Football Club and an art-deco theme and will provide increased permeability for include a full size 3G artificial grass pitch and athletics track. The pedestrians and cyclists as well as improving the sense of arrival site will boast community services and provide exciting to visitors. A graphic representation of the proposed scheme is commercial opportunities. presented below. The town is growing significantly. It will therefore be important to prioritise providing sustainable travel to and from the station. The bowls event of the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held in Leamington Spa, it will be important to build on the momentum of the Commonwealth Games to establish Leamington Spa station as a gateway and maximise rail patronage by visitors to the town, improving visitor experience and encouraging growth of tourism.

The station itself is continuing to see a growth in passenger numbers, rising by 4.1% between 2017/18 and 2018/19. The subsequent increase in footfall around the station further makes the case for improving the station environment and facilities, including completion of the forecourt improvement works and internal upgrades. 13 THE ASPIRATION the place we want it to be

“Working alongside WMR gives Leamington Spa the exciting opportunity for improvements to the Station building and facilities which will benefit our local communities and businesses. Together, we can gain a greater understanding of our customers and the local area enabling us to provide a well-rounded experience” Charlotte Lowndes, Interim Area Manager for Warwickshire, Chiltern Railways

“We welcome the development of Leamington Spa station into a transport hub, delivering an enhanced experience for rail users and establishing the station as part of the community. Leamington Spa is well connected by rail with services to London, the South Coast and the North. And with frequent services to and from Birmingham, the town is well placed to play a big part in the 2022 Commonwealth Games” John Robson, CrossCountry Regional Director West Midlands and North West

"The prospect of turning Leamington Spa station into a real transport hub with improved wayfinding, and improvements to the ambience of the station, will be of permanent benefit to travellers“

Archie Pitts, Chairman, Friends of Leamington Spa Station

14 THE ASPIRATION the place we want it to be

“Leamington Spa station – like the town it serves – blends history with modernity. Despite being a Grade II listed building it has sympathetically incorporated the facilities expected by the twenty-first century traveller. This prospectus can help ensure that this continues, and that the evolving needs of the customer and the community are clearly understood.”

Tom Painter, Head of Rail Franchising and Partnerships, West Midlands Rail Executive

“The development of a much improved transport hub at Leamington Spa Station will offer an attractive and efficient point of entry which is in keeping with our vibrant and beautiful town, and will put us on the map as we welcome visitors from around the world for major events such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”

Councillor Moira-Ann Granger, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Warwick District Council

“The government has now put active and public transport modes at the centre of urban transport policy. We have a fine station in Leamington which, with continued uplift, will play an ever more important part in the way we travel to and around our town.”

Susan Rasmussen, Chairman, Royal Leamington Spa Town Council and Clean Air for Leamington DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Large Scale Options

• High quality and sustainable ‘last mile’ connections supported by new/ improved infrastructure • Better integration for walking and cycling within the town centre and to key assets/destinations and surrounding residential areas • Complete renovation of the internal station environment to match the art-deco style of the forecourt improvement works, enhancing sense of place and creating a fantastic gateway to the town • Build on the momentum of the Commonwealth Games to establish Leamington Spa station as a gateway and maximise rail patronage by visitors to the town, improving visitor experience • Major damp proof coursing works to the track bed

Medium Scale Options • Installation of improved wayfinding to key assets/destinations. This may link with improvements provided as part of the Commonwealth Games • Complete the station forecourt improvement scheme to provide high quality public realm, including upgrade of the subway • New pedestrian link from the car park on Old Warwick Road to the station • Investigate potential to provide bike hire docks at the station to facilitate sustainable tourism, linking to the Commonwealth Games • Improve cycle connectivity onto the canal from Tachbrook Road • Investigate potential for links with Creative Quarter at Spencer Yard • Create a ‘community hub’ focused on the Community Garden by linking with local schools and students who could become more involved with the Friends of Leamington group, instilling a culture of stewardship • Investigate links with Coventry City of Culture and promote rail connectivity to/from Coventry Small Scale Options and Quick Wins • General refresh and clean of the station facilities, including cleaning of the internal station subway and stairs to platforms, removal of graffiti in the subway • Fill currently blank white spaces on the internal subway walls with information and photos about the history of the local area and station or community engagement • Refresh car parking in the forecourt, including repainting of lines and provision of marked drop off area and cutting back overgrown vegetation • Repainting and restoration of running in boards • Renewal of tactile paving on platform edge where required • Continued support of the Friends of Leamington station group (e.g. through disposal of non-compostable waste) • Restoration of the railings on Old Warwick Road • Investigate provision of community rail discount card at local businesses and pursue local links with station neighbours • Promote the cycle route to the station through cycling events (eg. Dr Bike), seizing opportunity presented by Covid-19, and engage with developers at new housing developments as well as local cycling groups. • Netting of the bridges on Lower Avenue and High Street to prevent pigeons roosting and causing mess on footways below. OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTMENT

The Stations as Places Prospectus should act as a means of providing an evidence base which can attract funding opportunities and implement quick-win initiatives and measures. To achieve this, continuous stakeholder involvement and collaboration is crucial to develop relationships within the communities that Leamington Spa station serves.

Options for Delivery

Third Party Funding Section 106 Funding can be secured External Funding • Warwickshire County Council and when a third-party development relates to the Potential for Railway Warwick District Council station (in planning terms). An example is the Heritage Trust funding to • Chiltern Railways Myton Green development which has restore the historic • West Midlands Trains allocated funding to provide a cycle path station forecourt railings • Network Rail through the development which connect to the on Old Warwick Road. • Coventry and Warwickshire LEP existing National Cycle Route 41.

Easy Wins

Commonwealth Games 2022: Cycle Rail: DfT awarded Leamington Spa Community and Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise station £140,000 for improvements to the cycling Volunteering Partnership (CWLEP) are providing almost infrastructure at the station. This was match resources: £1.8million to be spent on improvements in funded by Warwickshire County Council, providing Investment of time from Leamington Spa town centre and the railway £280,000 in total to fund the new cycle hub which community and enterprise station, including improving signposting to the will be integrated into the forecourt redevelopment groups such as the Friends bowls venue in Victoria Park from the railway scheme, enabling commuters to cycle directly to of Leamington Spa and the station. the station and lock-up their bike securely. charity sector.

17 Action Plan Making the station a better place and achieving mode shift

The action plan and targets provide a focus for the Stations as Places prospectus, as a way of measuring whether future schemes have a positive impact on sustainable travel. The targets below enable us to review the success of this opportunity prospectus and if the measures taken have resulted in improved sustainable access to the station, continued and enhanced community involvement and a complement to other capital improvements, not least the station forecourt improvement scheme.

Action Responsibility Timescale

Continued support for the activities of • Chiltern Railways Targets the well established Friends of Short • Warwickshire County Council Leamington Spa station Year 1*: Deliver ‘quick win’ station Deliver ‘quick win’ improvements at • West Midlands Station improvements Short to the station – platform tactile paving Alliance Medium refresh, running in board repaint etc • Chiltern Railways Years 2 - 3: Increase passenger numbers by capturing a rail market from • West Midlands Station To increase passenger use through housing, employment and retail growth local housing, employment and retail Alliance Medium growth (post Covid-19 recovery) • Warwickshire County Council (post Covid-19 recovery)

• West Midlands Rail Years 2 & 3: Deliver Station Forecourt Executive Improvement Scheme Maximise the opportunities for rail • Warwickshire County Council Medium travel to the Commonwealth Games • Warwick District Council Year 3: Establish Leamington Spa • Chiltern Railways station as a Gateway for the • West Midlands Station Commonwealth Games and maximise Alliance Work collaboratively with rail patronage by Games’ visitors Warwickshire CC, Warwick DC and • Warwickshire County Council Medium Network Rail to progress the station • Warwick District Council *Year 1 is assumed to be 2020 forecourt improvement scheme • Chiltern Railways • Network Rail

18 WHO TO CONTACT and HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Railways bring people together and there is a powerful historic sense of pride in the railways in the UK. Stations began life as beacons of hope and revival for local communities and when stations are places of welcome, happier and more passengers ensue.

This prospectus presents information on the challenges and opportunities at Leamington Spa Station as expressed by different members of the local community. This evidence has been used to inform a set of objectives and a list of actions defined during the course of the study which will help to prioritise future investment at the station and within the local area. We hope you enjoyed the journey.

The Stations as Places initiative is designed be open to all. We really want to engage with organisations of different shapes and sizes. We’d love to hear from developers and their consultant teams about how we can work more closely with you to connect with your development schemes, especially if you are needing people to take the train to ease pressure of the road network and make your development proposals work effectively. But we’d also love to hear from shopkeepers and other local businesses, from social enterprises and residents’ groups, and from organisations supporting disabled people and others needing accessibility support. So how to get involved? You can email [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you!

Contact us if you would like to: • Give us feedback about this Prospectus • Flag up an opportunity with your proposed development • Talk to us about how your organisation can get involved You can also follow progress on Stations as Places at www.wmre.org.uk/stationsalliance

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