£20 million for third round of the New Stations Fund announced

Towns and cities could see new stations constructed and disused links restored, the Rail Minister has confirmed, thanks to a £20 million fund to boost rail connections across the country.

This forms just one part of the government’s £500 million drive to reopen former routes and stations closed during the Beeching cuts and marks its commitment to levelling up transport infrastructure across the country to improve links between communities and unlock economic growth for towns, cities and regions, so everyone can access the opportunities they need to thrive.

Passengers have already benefited from funding to build new stations, says the Government, including in Wales, Derbyshire, Exeter, Warrington and Warwickshire, with more new stations soon to be built in Durham, Reading and Bristol.

Local authorities can bid for the funding, with communities across the country encouraged to apply.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: 'The new £20 million funding is the third round of the New Stations Fund, and follows the launch of the £500 million Reversing Beeching Fund, which aims to bring back the rail connections needed to level up access to opportunity and support local economies to flourish.'

Apply now: round three of the New Stations Fund