Ilkeston’s new railway station
This is how the railway station at Ilkeston is shaping up ahead of its official opening in seven weeks’ time.
When it opens, Ilkeston will cast off the tag of one of the largest towns in Britain on a passenger rail line without a station.
The new facility is on the site of the former Ilkeston Junction and Cossall Railway station, which once served the town. That station shut in January 1967 as a result of the Beeching report, which led to thousands of station closures nationwide.
The £10 million project was made possible partly thanks to £6.6 million from the Government through the New Stations Fund.
Network Rail has confirmed the station will open on April 2, although there will be an official ceremony in the summer.
Erewash MP Maggie Throup previously said: “The station will not only transform the way local people travel, but will give a significant boost to the local economy and attract new business to the area.
“I for one cannot wait to be on that first passenger train.”
Trains will run every hour, with direct services to Chesterfield, Sheffield, Leeds and Nottingham – with passengers able to get to Nottingham in 15 minutes. There will also be services to Norwich and Liverpool.
A wider footbridge will go over the line and there will be CCTV on both platforms. A 90-space car park is also being created.
Original post by ‘Nottingham Post’