New Kidderminster rail station at heart of £45m plan

Its construction and the resulting revitalisation of the area could create thousands of jobs.

The multi-million pound bid would become a top priority scheme if a bid for Government funding is agreed, it was announced today.

Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, which consists of local businesses, is bidding for an initial £45 million slice of a funding pot which the government hopes will revitalise areas and create jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Officials are expected to hear in July whether the bid has been successful and, if it is, work on the construction of the new railway station could begin in the next two years.

The bid will be part of a progressive ten-year plan aimed at making Worcestershire 'world class' to meet future demands for jobs, businesses and to boost the economy.

It envisages as many as 25,000 new jobs being created across the county, including thousands around the Wyre Forest district in the next ten years.

Advanced manufacturing bases would be geared to the area around Silverwoods, the former British Sugar site, and money would be allocated for the completion of local roads and to create more food producers and restaurants, which in turn would bring in more tourists.

Gary Woodman, executive director of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "We will be one of 39 partnerships bidding for funds, but should know in July whether we have been successful. Initially we will be seeking £45 million and if successful the rebuilding of Kidderminster railway station will be among our priorities. This could happen as early as 2015 or 2016."

Plans to improve Kidderminster railway station have been in the pipeline since 2009 when Worcestershire County Council announced it was looking to create a new station building, forecourt and pedestrian access.

But the scheme was derailed, first by a spending review carried out by the government following the last election, and later when a bid for cash from the Regional Growth Fund also failed.

But bosses from the authority said they 'remained committed' to the project and improving the railway station.