The Department for Transport has today announced that Ilkeston Train Station is one of three stations most likely to be built using the government’s New Station Fund.  This announcement comes the day before the 50th Anniversary of the Beeching Report.  Speaking on the announcement Jessica Lee said:

“I am delighted to read this morning that the Dept for Transport is backing the bid to complete the funds needed to reopen Ilkeston Train station. I have campaigned tirelessly for this important project since being the Erewash MP in 2010. Indeed, the fund for new stations was set up in response to the representations I have made to the Department.

A huge thank you goes to the team at Derbyshire County Council who were able to prepare such an excellent bid.

For me, the case for reopening a station at Ilkeston has always been compelling. This will bring visitors to the town and allow residents, particularly young people, the opportunity to get to Nottingham in 15 mins, helping with work and training opportunities.

Like any decision, the plans will be subject to the usual due diligence checks, but today is the break through I have been waiting for in making the project for a train station into a reality. I will now do all that I can to have the plans complete and the station up and running as soon as possible".

Leader of Conservative led Erewash Borough Council, Chris Corbett expressed his delight at learning that the campaign for a new station at Ilkeston has been successful. He said “I should like to pay tribute to our MP Jessica Lee, to our Conservative County Council, to all the residents who supported this campaign and of course the Ilkeston Advertiser who did so much to ensure those in power knew the strength of feeling in Ilkeston.”

He added “it is not just that local people will be able to get to Nottingham in 15 minutes to commute to work, but that residents of Nottingham will be able to come to find jobs in Ilkeston. This will be a real boost for the economy of Ilkeston and surrounding areas. It has been a long wait but thank goodness, we have had the perfect team of a Conservative MP, a Conservative Government and Conservative County and Borough Councils who have been able to work together so successfully.