BIRMINGHAM-MARCH-STANSTED AIRPORT


Hourly trains link Birmingham with Stansted Airport through Leicester, Peterborough, March and Cambridge. Trains have become more reliable in recent years and long trains can now serve short platforms.

We see a clear need for a "whole route" approach to engineering access.


The trains are mostly clean and attempts are being made to tackle the ceilings.

Growth has returned to the route after recession. We believe that no passenger should normally have to stand for more than 20 minutes.

Catering trolleys are advertised on several journeys between Birmingham and Peterborough. To be viable, catering needs to be dependable.

There is a priced option in the present franchise agreement for a half-hourly service. The train operator and stakeholders are also keen to accelerate the service.

There is also a priced option for some overnight trains. Some of those who travel from March to work in Cambridge are particularly keen to see a later train home on at least one evening a week.

The East Midlands route utilisation strategy showed that a less ambitious scheme to run six or so extra trains in each direction between Birmingham and Cambridge would yield £3.30 in benefit for each £1 in cost.


Cambs and Suffolk County Councils are funding a study into the costs and benefits of hourly trains between Peterborough and Ipswich

Any of these options could deliver a half-hourly local service between Peterborough and March. We believe that any additional taxpayer-funded trains should be prioritised on value for money.

Summer 2012