Overview
On 27 April 2009, the new £8.3m Corby Railway station was officially opened by the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP.
The delivery of this project on time and within budget was a hugely significant milestone for the town of Corby, which has been transformed over the last six years by major town centre regeneration projects and housing growth.
After more than 40 years without a direct passenger service to London, Corby’s residents and businesses are now just 1 hour and 14 minutes journey time from the capital.
Unquestionably a fundamental boost for the sustainable regeneration and growth of the area, the Corby Railway regeneration project has also provided economic stimulus for the local community in the downturn.
In the first 100 days of the new service, more than 30,000 passengers travelled to or from the station with 7 out of 10 passengers using Corby station traveling to or from the capital and far exceeds initial projections for the station.
The close working and determination of the several public and private sector partners required to deliver such a large and complex scheme sets this project apart and has provided added momentum to Corby’s renaissance.
A new beginning
In 2003, an ambitious Regeneration Framework for Corby was launched by Catalyst Corby, the first Urban Regeneration Company (URC) to be established by the Government in accordance with recommendations within the Urban White Paper published in November 2000.
The construction of a new railway station and establishment of new commuter services was fundamental to achieving the transport strategy and the Regeneration Framework provided further impetus to a growing campaign involving local residents, Corby Borough Council, MP Phil Hope and local media for the return of a passenger service to Corby.
In June 2007, the Department for Transport finally announced that Corby was to be included in the new East Midlands rail franchise, paving the way for a new service and ending the town’s unenviable claim to being the largest settlement in the EU without a passenger service.
The Midland Main Line franchise was awarded to East Midlands Trains and following discussions with the Department for Transport, Network Rail agreed to develop and implement a new station at Corby.
In conjunction with funding partners at the Homes and Communities Agency, East Midlands Development Agency and Network Rail, the North Northants Development Company (NNDC) wasted no time in progressing plans for the new station.
Following a start on site in February 2008, work was completed in December 2008 – just 18 months after planning permission was granted.
A gateway to Corby
The final scheme comprises a new railway station with an adjacent public transport interchange, car parking, cycle parking and high quality public open space. The transport interchange will make a significant contribution to achieving the region’s modal shift from the car.
The station is integral to the effective design of a 'gateway' to the town centre via the planned Corby Walk.
The station itself is inspired by the best new developments in modular building and transport design. The pre-fabricated units had been assembled at another venue and were being used for demonstrative purposes.
The unit was disassembled, and then assembled on site with a small amount of re-fabrication. This re-use of the existing building allowed significant cost savings to be realised and helped keep delivery costs to a minimum.
Recycled materials have been used wherever possible to enhance the development’s sustainable credentials. The station building includes solar panels, grey water harvesting and heating for public areas using solar gain.
The catalyst for Corby
It is estimated the new railway station will unlock £200m* of further commercial investment in the area by improving connectivity to London, the South East and Europe (Report by Arup / DTZ - March 2004) and it will lead to the generation of more than 1,200 retail and office jobs.
The adoption and successful completion of the project will also help maintain long-term regenerative momentum within the town.
The stated aim to secure this vital infrastructure for Corby and its successful pursuit has underpinned the aspirational development of the town centre – from Land Securities £35m Willow Place shopping centre to Corby Borough Council’s development of the £20m Corby East Midlands International Pool (opened July 2008) and £37m Civic Hub (opening 2010).
The introduction of a station will contribute incalculable benefits to the local economy including:
- Improved retail offering in the town centre
- Possible high profile business relocations
- Raised commercial property values
- Improved transport links to London, the South East and Europe
- Improved accessibility to public transport
Latest news
A new, high-quality business zone incorporating town centre living is earmarked for land surrounding the station itself. Corby Borough Council, NNDC and other partners are bringing forward an initial masterplan for the Central Business Park which will provide 23 hectares of mixed uses, i.e. FE College, offices and housing.
On the 26th June 2009, the Government announced that Tresham College (Further and Higher education) will receive capital funding for a new education and training building in Corby. Tresham was one of only 13 colleges in the country to secure funding in this round and Corby Railway Station was a key factor in securing this funding.
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