Business case submitted for Shrewsbury route enhancements

MIDLANDS Connect, an organisation which researches, develops and progresses transport projects, has submitted a business case to the Department for Transport outlining plans to enhance the Shrewsbury-Black CountryBirmingham rail route. Under the plans, the line speed would be increased to 90mph from 70mph, tracks would be realigned at two locations and there would be signalling improvements. Last year, details of a business case in Midlands Connect’s Rails to Recovery report, suggested that electrifying the route through Telford and the Black Country and extending London services to Shrewsbury and running them hourly, could create up to £500m of benefits for businesses and residents. Furthermore, Midlands Connect forecasts significant population growth along the rail corridor, with both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin projected to grow by 11-12% by 2031. This aligns with large numbers of new jobs within Telford, particularly in the professional services sector. Improvements could begin by 2025, and around £23m in economic benefits could be delivered, as well as generating £1m of extra ticket sales revenue per annum.