Maria Caulfield, Member of Parliament for Lewes, is thrilled that Bishopston Station in the Lewes constituency is one of the 5 stations battling it out in the South East to win in the World Cup of Stations.
This week the public can vote for their favourite railway station in the World Cup of Stations 2023, 48 stations from across Britain will compete in a series of Twitter polls via #WorldCupofStations or @RailDeliveryGrp
Five train stations across the South East will battle it out for a place in the final to be crowned ‘The UK’s best loved station’ and winner of World Cup of Stations 2023, the competition hosted by the Rail Delivery Group in partnership with the Community Rail Network.
This year’s competition takes place during Community Rail Week (22-26 May) to showcase community rail and the benefits railways bring to residents, the environment and the local economy.
The five stations in the South East that have been nominated are:
Bishopstone, East Sussex managed by GTR,(one of four bonus stations selected by Tim Dunn) has been nominated as the Bishopstone's 'Friends of' group has brought this Art Deco station back to life, with the Old Parcel Room becoming a much-loved community hub.
Swaythling, Hants managed by SWR has been nominated as volunteers run a free shop which distributes surplus food from supermarkets to those who need it. Has been nominated
Whyteleafe, Surrey managed by GTR has been nominated as the station hosts the local foodbank, run by June and a team of volunteers.
Bognor Regis, West Sussex managed by GTR has been nominated as the 'Track Hub' is a welcoming space for start-ups and those looking for a co-working space, set up by the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.
Hollingbourne, Kent managed by South-eastern has been nominated as the former ticket office and booking hall has been transformed into a community space which opened in January 2023.
Over 100 nominations were whittled down to 48 by TV presenter Tim Dunn in the competition that was last held in 2019. They now face each other in a series of mini-battles to be crowned World Cup of Stations champion 2023.
Each of the nominees are from one of 11 regions, with four bonus stations selected by Tim Dunn.
Maria Caulfield MP said:
“I am very proud that Bishopstone station has been chosen as one of Tim Dunn’s bonus station.
Friends of Bishopstone Junction work extremely hard to ensure the station is recognised, and to have it be nominated for its fabulous Art Deco design back to life is a testament to how hard the group work.
Congratulations to our Bishopstone Station and please do vote!”
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:
“Day in, day out stations up and down the country are proving to be at the very heart of the communities and this year during Community Rail Week, we want to shine a light on the very best stations in England, Scotland and Wales.
All of the stations are making a positive impact on their local community, whether that’s supporting local businesses, being used for a social space or making the local environment better by being more sustainable, whatever they’re doing to make a difference, we want to celebrate.”