Warwick Parkway Station marked its 25th anniversary today (Friday 24 October) with a special celebration recognising the station’s success as a vital transport link in Warwickshire. Opened on 25 October 2000 as a joint partnership between Warwickshire County Council and M40 Trains, the station was developed with park and ride facilities to encourage more people to travel by rail. Situated on Chiltern Railways’ intercity route between London and Birmingham, the station has grown into one of the network’s success stories, welcoming 440,000 customers last year alone.

The event, hosted by Chiltern Railways and Warwickshire County Council, featured speeches about the future of rail in the region, a musical performance by pupils from Newburgh Primary School, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. It also formed part of the national Railway 200 celebrations marking the bicentenary of the modern railway. Guests reflected on the station’s contribution to Warwickshire’s rail connectivity and its importance to the local economy.

Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, said: “Warwick Parkway is one of the newest stations on the Chiltern network, providing frequent, fast services to London and Birmingham. The success story of Warwick Parkway underlines how the railway supports economic activity and personal connectivity.

“In addition to celebrating the station's past, we are excited for the future, including looking forward to customers boarding our newest trains, which will come into service from early 2026."

Cllr Jennifer Warren, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The anniversary of the opening of Warwick Parkway station is a key milestone for both us and Chiltern Railways and provides a good opportunity to take stock of this council’s commitment to investing in and facilitating more rail travel. The Railway 200 celebration is another reason to celebrate the work we have done to help residents and visitors to Warwickshire have better rail facilities.

“Warwick Parkway has an excellent train service towards Birmingham and London and also provides rail users with access to the wider rail network for business, education/training and leisure trips. The station is a key asset to the West Midlands region as well as supporting the local economy of Warwick and Leamington Spa.”

Image: Chiltern Railways