A 'Kenilworth Recovery Group' has been formed to ensure the future of rail travel to the town following the reopening of the station last month.

With members from a number of local organisations, the group is hoping to increase ensure that there is a reliable and popular passenger service to the town.

Kenilworth Railway Station opened in 2018 following a £12million investment between Warwickshire County Council and West Midlands Railway.

However, since then commuters have been frustrated by an inconsistent service as well as the closure of the Leamington to Coventry line during the pandemic.

The closure of the line was announced in January and lasted until April. However only a limited two-hourly service has resumed at the station, with bus replacements filling the rest of the timetable.

Under the umbrella of the Heart of England Community Rail Partnership, the new recovery group involves representatives of the chamber of trade, the operator, Kenilworth Castle, WCC and the town council, as well as local residents.

Liberal Democrat town and district councillor Richard Dickson was heavily involved in the reopening the station in 2018, and has since been eager for the station to become a vital part of the town's local transport links.

Cllr Dickson said: "A limited two-hourly service has now resumed at the station. However, given the huge investment in 2018 of taxpayers' funds in the service through Kenilworth, this will be insufficient to generate a satisfactory return.

"But it's a small step in the right direction.

"The first meeting of the group has already taken place with many local stakeholders represented.

"The aim is to plan a series of activities to encourage greater use of the station by local residents and visitors to the town. The group forms a key part of our local town centre development, tourism and climate change emergency response strategies."

First meeting

The first meeting of the Kenilworth Recovery Group took place last week, with stakeholders setting out a plan for the committee.

Discussions included:

1) How to improve signage at and to the station.

3) Leaflet provision at the station.

5) How to boost ticket sales at the station.

7) Train service reliability issues.

Local Liberal Democrats have also written to WCC to ask what action it is taking to ensure that a swift resumption of the hourly service is achieved and maintained.