The Institution of Highways and Transportation (IHT) has named the country's newest train station as its winner of the effective partnerships award.

It was given in recognition of the close working relationship that enabled the £8.3m station to be constructed on time, on budget and to a very high standard.

Simon Evans, chief executive of one of the project's main players North Northants Development Company, said: "Following the success of a long campaign to reconnect the residents and businesses of Corby to the national rail network, partners have wasted no time in delivering a
high quality station and transport hub.

"The new station is a major boost for the town's future vitality as well as the viability of new commercial investment."

Construction of the station began in February 2008 and was completed in December.

The project signalled the end of a 40-year wait for the return of a passenger rail service to London.

Although delayed, an hourly service to London began in the spring.

The accolade was given by sporting legend Sir Geoff Hurst MBE at a recent ceremony in London to the Homes and Communities Agency, a funding partner and the site owner, and project consultants WYG.

IHT is a leading professional body within the transport industry.

In making the award the judges said: "(It was) a transformational project delivered to a very constrained timescale.

"The project clearly required a very effective partnership to manage the requirements of a large number of stakeholders combined with the multiplicity of inter-agency working.

"The submission demonstrated very clearly that this had been achieved very effectively."

David Fursdon, from campaign group Railfuture, said: "We're absolutely delighted about the award and not surprised it has won first place because the feedback we've had from people who use the station is very positive.

"It's a nice environment for passengers, it offers security and fits in with modern Corby.

"We were quite lucky it opened in the middle of this economic trouble."

Deputy leader of Corby Council Cllr Mark Pengelly is the town's representative on the East Midlands Local Authorities Rail Action Group.

He said: "Without partnership working to get the railway station it would never have happened.

"All the organisations worked really well together in establishing what is an excellent rail service for the town.

"Everything coming out of the recent rail action group meeting I went to about Corby was positive. Usage is far more than what they were expecting."

David Horne, commercial director for East Midlands Trains, said: "We're extremely pleased the new station has been recognised in this way.

"Corby is a prime example of success through partnership working, and East Midlands Trains is proud to be providing Corby with direct services to London.

"We hope that by working with our partners, we can continue to promote the station and its new rail links and continue winning awards for its success."