A survey was recently undertaken by sub-national transport body Midlands Connect in a bid to discover how proposed rail improvement could impact local businesses in the region. The businesses that took part employ more than 12,500 employees throughout the area.

The survey results revealed that 83% of the businesses employees would use train services more often if the rail improvements were carried out including better station facilities and cleaner trains. 62% Of businesses also agreed that rail improvements would ‘Help the business grow’, aid carbon reduction targets and provide easier ways to meet customers alongside the reduction in commute time for employees. Just under half of the business also reported that improvement would make it easier to recruit new staff members as well as work with communities in Wales.

The proposed rail enhancement programme would see lines increased to 90 miles per hour and would require two minor track alignments alongside signalling improvements for the line.

Midlands Connect’s survey follows its submission of a Strategic Outline Business Case for the improvement programme which was submitted to the Department for Transport in August. The Business Case revealed that for each £1 invested as much as £16 could be made within the local economy whilst delivering approximately £23 million in economic benefits.

Improvements that could be made over the medium to long term also include electrifying the line and adding a direct service to London which would be considered after the initial improvements.

Tawhida Yaacoub, Midlands Connect Senior Rail Programme Manager said: “These survey results clearly show that businesses value improvements to rail services like boosting speeds over other improvements such as better station facilities and cleaner trains.

“It’s also encouraging to be given a seal of approval by local businesses and to hear that rail line improvements could help them grow, particularly right now where we are living in challenging times and many businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

“Speeding up rail services travelling on the Shrewsbury – Black Country – Birmingham route is only the beginning to our plans on improving the route, with line electrification and direct services to London also in the pipeline. It’s great to see business all aboard with our plans.”

Daniel Kawczynski MP, Member of Parliament for Shrewsbury and Atcham said: “These survey results give further proof that a rail line between Shrewsbury, the Black Country and Birmingham that is not just more frequent, but also faster, would strongly impact employee’s and business decision making when considering transport options.

I was thrilled to see the submission of a Strategic Outline Business Case for the programme of improvements submitted to the Department for Transport last month – I’m keen that Government supports us in the delivery of these improvements as soon as possible.”