THE benefit of a new station in Ilkeston will be felt well into Notts, it has been claimed.
Politicians and business leaders have welcomed a Department for Transport announcement that Ilkeston station is one of three most likely to be built with support from the Government's New Station Fund.
If the bid is successful and planning permission is granted, the station could be up and running before the end of 2014. The site (pictured) is off Coronation Road, on the existing Erewash Valley railway line, near the site of the former Ilkeston Junction station, with links to Millership Way.
Derbyshire County Council's cabinet member for highways, Councillor Simon Spencer, said: "Ilkeston is the largest town in the UK without a train station – despite having a passenger railway running through it.
"A train station would help reduce congestion on local roads – particularly to Nottingham – improve access to jobs, training and education for Ilkeston residents and attract more people to the town to access its facilities."
Councillor Chris Corbett, Erewash Borough Council leader, said: 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."
