A NEW £100 million grant to improve stations has been announced by Network Rail, ATOC and the Department for Transport.

It effectively replaces the £50 million fund which had been made available following the Station Champions' report, but was then axed as a result of the financial crisis.

The report, called Better Rail Stations, had been compiled in 2009 by former British Rail and Virgin Trains executive Chris Green and Professor of Planning Sir Peter Hall. It had named the 'ten worst stations in Britain', and also made several other key recommendations.

The stations named were Clapham Junction, Barking, Stockport, Manchester Victoria, Preston, Wigan North Western, Liverpool Central, Warrington Bank Quay, Crewe and Luton.

But its proposals came to nothing when a £50 million grant intended to begin the improvements was withdrawn almost a year ago as part of financial cutbacks at the Department for Transport, just weeks after the general election.

The new fund, officially dubbed the Station Commercial Project Facility, doubles the original budget and the field is wide open, because any of the 2,500+ National Rail stations are now eligible.

Network Rail said awards would depend on proposals being made which improved the environment of individual stations and also reduced the public subsidy for rail by generating a financial return.

There is no cap on the maximum value, and bids are being welcomed from third-party organisations as well as train operators and Network Rail itself.

Mike Goggin, who is director of stations and customer service at Network Rail, said, “This is a great opportunity for the rail industry to think innovatively about how to improve stations without increasing the burden on the taxpayer. It is also an opportunity for local authorities and third parties to get involved and we encourage prospective projects to build relationships to improve the strength of their bid.”

Alec McTavish, director of policy and operations at ATOC, added: “Train companies, working with Network Rail, are committed to improving stations around the country, so additional funding is very welcome. We are looking forward to assessing high quality bids which will bring real benefits to passengers and demonstrate how they can provide a healthy financial return.”

Proposals will be assessed by a panel including representatives from the Department for Transport, ATOC and Network Rail.

To be considered for the first tranche of funding, proposals are requested by 17 June. A second tranche will be released in October 2011 for which proposals are requested by 30 September.