Regional transport body Midlands Connect has released a new feasibility study outlining some £500 million of benefits that would result from the electrification of the railways.
Electrifying and upgrading the lines could have a number of benefits, including allowing faster and more regular services from Telford, Wolverhampton and Birmingham to London.
Midlands Connect's ‘Rails to Recovery’ study examined a combination of faster and more frequent train services, across the West Midlands and England.
As well as providing higher frequencies between Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford and Wolverhampton, the service would also offer the chance to provide additional links to Birmingham International station for connections to HS2. The scheme will also mean that Telford would have have improved local connectivity for resident commuters into Birmingham.
If adopted in full, the upgrade programme itself would create and safeguard some 400 jobs.
Commenting on the release of the ‘Rails to Recovery’ study, Midlands Connect Chief Executive Maria Machancoses said
“This work could create a rail revolution in the Black Country and Shropshire. I know from experience, using this train every day, how overcrowded it can be. The report lays out how businesses, commuters and residents will all benefit from an upgraded route as will our economy. This is the definition of a win-win project and can help take us from rails to recovery.
“We’ve started this process but we are picking up pace, and today is a first, critical stop, on our long journey.”
Lucy Allan MP said:
"One of my main priorities over the course of this parliament is to campaign for greater rail connections for Telford.
Better infrastructure and connectivity is at the core of levelling up and will benefit all my constituents. I would encourage everyone to read the report and see what benefits greater connectivity can bring us all."
You can read more on Midlands Connect's website here.
