Worcester (Norton) Parkway | |
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Norton Junction - the site of the original station is behind the camera. The new station would be several chains along the left branch. | |
Location | |
Place | Norton |
Local authority | Worcester |
Operations | |
Number of platforms | 3 or 4 |
National Rail - UK railway stations | |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | |
Worcester (Norton) Parkway is a proposed new railway station in Norton, Worcester, England.[1] The project is currently enjoying renewed interest, and the business case and technical development work is currently being undertaken by and on behalf of Worcestershire County Council. A new station on this site was first suggested in the 1970s, but it was rejected on grounds of cost.
The station would be located where the Cotswold and Cross Country Lines cross. It has been said that Worcester Shrub Hill would have to close when the new station opens, to justify the passenger numbers.[2] The construction of the station would give Worcester long distance Cross Country trains that normally do not stop, bypassing Worcester. Based on the current timetable, it has been deemed feasible for a reasonable service to Birmingham Bristol and London to operate from this site.[3]
Worcestershire County Council have set aside £3 million for park and ride facilities at the station.[4][5]
It would have 3 or 4 platforms. Two on a lower level, on the Cross Country route, and one or two on an upper level on the Cotswold Line (depending on whether double track will be restored on this section).
The Worcestershire Parkway station was cited in the Second Worcestershire Local Transport Plan (LTP2) as a key transport priority for Worcestershire.[6] Worcestershire Parkway is also listed in the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy as a Sub Regional Priority, and features in Policy T6 - Strategic Park and Ride.
Worcestershire County Council is currently coordinating the development of the business case. An outline business case was developed by Laing Rail in March 2006, which concluded in favour of the development of Worcestershire Parkway.
In June 2008 it was announced that the station was unlikely to be built for many years.[7] Following this, in October 2008 an e-petition was set up on the No 10 website calling for a Worcestershire Parkway.
There was a station called Norton Junction not far from the site of the proposed station. It was closed during the Beeching Axe in the 1960s.