A MAJOR plan to improve rail services in the Vale has been revealed by council chiefs which could see two trains per hour between Evesham and London.
A number of key priorities to boost rail connectivity in Evesham and across Worcestershire feature in the County Council’s Rail Investment Strategy and residents are being urged to have their say on the proposals.
The strategy includes ambitions to see two trains per hour, one every 30 minutes, in both directions between Evesham and London Paddington.
It also calls for faster and more reliable journey times from Evesham to Oxford, London and Worcester.
Council chiefs have also said Vale residents will benefit from ‘increased opportunities’ to travel when Worcestershire Parkway opens. All trains serving Evesham will also serve Parkway, providing direct access from there to Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Nottingham and other major destinations in the future.
The ambitious strategy also includes plans for improved direct access to Droitwich, Kidderminster and Birmingham from Evesham via the Worcestershire Parkway station which is currently under construction.
The County Council hopes the Rail Investment Strategy will lead to better local and long distance rail services which will help boost Worcestershire’s economy.
Evesham’s MP, Nigel Huddleston, has welcomed the strategy and has called on residents and businesses to have their say on the plans.
“This ambitious strategy makes a compelling case for investment in Worcestershire’s rail infrastructure and I urge local residents to read the document and submit their feedback via the Council’s website,” he said.
“Worcestershire is a thriving County, forecast to grow by 45,000 new homes by 2025, and this strategy addresses the need to ensure our rail infrastructure is equipped to accommodate an increasing number of passengers.
“The proposals will also bring significant economic benefits to the County and I would encourage all local businesses to get behind the plans so that they can be implemented as soon as possible.”
Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/ltp to have your say on the plans. The deadline for feedback is Monday, August 14.
