Groundbreaking station built by train operator celebrates 10 years of success

Warwick Parkway station celebrated 10 years of the station being opened on Wednesday, 20 October (today), by giving passengers a free breakfast buffet and celebratory cake.  

In the 10 years since opening, the station has scooped awards and praise from passengers and the public sector alike. As such, annual passenger numbers have risen to over half a million a year and car parking has expanded by 59%.

Chiltern Railways became the first UK train operator to own and build a new station when it opened in October 2000. With the increasing number of people who want to live in the countryside and work in London along with the proximity to the M40, Chiltern Railways knew the station would appeal to potential passengers.

Lord Digby Jones, a regular user of the station attended the event along with Warwickshire Country Council Transport Planner, Roger Newham.  “Congratulations to Warwick Parkway station and to Chiltern Railways. I’ve been using the station for the last ten years. It’s a fantastic station, lots of parking, trains that run on time and wonderful staff “, said Lord Digby Jones.

“Warwick Parkway has been a huge commercial success and demonstrated the potential of effective partnership between county councils and the private sector delivering government’s integrated transport strategy”, said Roger Newham, Transport Planner, Warwickshire County Council.

The station has become a real community for passengers over the last ten years.  Regular passengers even used the 10th anniversary as an opportunity to thank Station Host, Judy Biggs for her outstanding customer service, presenting her with special card and gift.

Regular customer Richard Smith said “I had an idea to talk to other Warwick Parkway passengers to see if they would be prepared to join me in recommending a passenger award for Judy Biggs on the 10 year anniversary for the fantastic service she provides. We all agree it is the friendliest station we have ever used and Judy is a great asset to Chiltern Railways.”

Chiltern Railways General Manager North, Ian Baxter, said “We are delighted to be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Warwick Parkway and we are so thrilled by all the support for the station and staff here.  “Warwick Parkway has been a success story because we get the basics right and we listen to what our passengers want.  That’s why right now we are working now on the Chiltern Mainline to introduce faster journey times from May 2011, passengers will be able to get from Warwick Parkway to London Marylebone in just 1hr 15 minutes, which is great news for our commuting passengers.”

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For further media information, please contact the Chiltern Railways press office on 020 7333 3014 or seona.shuttleworth@chilternrailways.co.uk