Kenilworth Town Council have written to West Midlands Railway about their decision to suspend rail service to Kenilworth Railway Station for the foreseeable future.

WMR made the announcement last Monday (January 11) that trains to the station would be replaced by a bus service until further notice.

Following the announcement a decision was made at last week's town council meeting (Thursday 14) that a letter would be sent on behalf of the council to WMR.

Written by Mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Richard Dickson, the letter asks a number of questions of the rail company, most notably "Under what circumstances will WMR consider reinstating the rail service to Kenilworth?"

The town council have also asked "Would WMR support the Council in an approach to Cross Country requesting that their services stop at Kenilworth?" A subject that has been discussed frequently by supporters of the station after criticisms of WMR service along the line have continued.

A full transcript of the letter can be found below:

Dear Mr Edwards,

I write on behalf of Kenilworth Town Council, following a discussion about the train service in Kenilworth at a Council meeting on 14 January, and in particular about the recent decision by West Midlands Railway ('WMR') to suspend the train service at the station with effect from 18th January.

The Council understands the problems caused by COVID-19. However, the train station was the biggest single capital investment ever in the town and the importance of the train service for local residents and visitors to the town is vital. It helps them travel in a way consistent with the Council's climate change emergency objectives and in boosting local tourism and business in our town centre.

It is understood that WMR will be providing a replacement bus, but the complete removal of a rail service, even under present circumstances, is very disappointing. It is noticeable that none of your other services have been completely suspended and Kenilworth appears to be the only station on your network with no service at all.

The Council has therefore requested that you clarify the situation and, in particular, answer the following questions:

Under what circumstances will WMR consider reinstating the rail service to Kenilworth?

When will the decision first be reviewed and thereafter will it be reviewed on a regular basis?

Will WMR monitor the reliability of the replacement bus?

What support will WMR be offering to the station operator?

Would WMR support the Council in an approach to Cross Country requesting that their services stop at Kenilworth?

Can WMR make a senior member of staff available to brief the Council at a forthcoming Council meeting on their plans for the future development of the train service through Kenilworth?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely, Cllr Richard Dickson Mayor of Kenilworth 2020/21