Midlands Connect today submitted a business case to the Department for Transport outlining plans to upgrade the Shrewsbury – Black Country – Birmingham rail line. The news was hailed as “a major milestone for the project”.

The study revealed only proposed improvements, which would increase the line speed to 90 miles per hour.

The project will bring around £23 million in economic benefits – these relate to a combination of improved travel time, improved air quality, environmental benefits and reduced congestion on local roads. The business case shows that for every £1 invested, £16 could be created for the local economy.

New findings also show that delivery of the project could begin as early as 2025 if the program receives the green light from the government. As a result of these improvements, Midlands Connect believes more people will choose to travel by train, generating £1million in additional ticket sales revenue per year.

The track would have minor realignments in two places, in the rail corridor to improve the route for the train and passengers, as well as improvements around the signaling on the line.

The submission comes after the government’s Union Connectivity Review identified Shrewsbury’s importance as a hub for linking Mid and West Wales to the Midlands.

The recently released business case also highlights the need for investment, as real growth will be seen in the years to come. Midlands Connect predicts significant population growth along the rail line, with Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin expected to grow by 11-12% by 2031. This corresponds to a large number of new jobs in Telford, with a potential increase of 22 % of new jobs. which is equivalent to 4,000 additional jobs in the professional services sector in the coming years.

The scheme also builds on the fact that Wolverhampton is now home to the second seat of the Government’s Upgrading Department.

This business case adds to work published last year in Midlands Connect’s Rails to Recovery report, which also found that electrifying the route through Telford and the Black Country and extending services from London in Shrewsbury could create up to £500million in benefits for businesses and residents by making hourly trains to the nation’s capital. Midlands Connect have analyzed plans for a new hourly train from Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford, Wolverhampton and Birmingham to London.

The scheme enjoys broad local support with 86% of those polled in Shropshire backing the scheme as a whole, two in three (66%) backed line speed improvements and 62% thought the proposed changes were an example of “leveling up”. A further 800 people in Wolverhampton and surrounding areas were asked about the scheme last February and the scheme was backed by 91% of respondents.

The program would also help preserve and create jobs in the engineering and construction sectors; Analysis by NSA Research on behalf of Midlands Connect showed that 337 jobs would be saved and a further 81 skilled jobs would be created if the project were implemented.

Commenting on the business case submission, Midlands Connect CEO Maria Machancoses said: “Today’s news is another step forward and a major milestone on our journey towards delivering this major project. as part of our Midlands Engine Rail programme.

“In the medium term, we are championing the need for hourly direct trains to London and electrification, but we are also promoting the short term victory of improved line speeds.

“I believe this project will help improve the Black Country, support Shropshire’s economic development and unlock Telford’s fantastic growth in the years to come.”

Jane Stevenson MP, MP for Wolverhampton North East said:

“This business case is another step towards providing better connections and greener, faster trains between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury. For my constituents, it could also mean a new train station in Pendeford so more people can have wider access to jobs, training or school.

“Wolverhampton has seen major investment in recent years and I believe this project is another concrete example of Black Country leveling up.”

Daniel Kawczynski MP, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said: “Increasing line speed on this important route through Shrewsbury to 90 miles per hour will be a massive boost for passengers and local businesses, speeding up journeys and encouraging motorists to leave their cars at home. It’s fantastic that these plans are coming forward and could be a big short-term win for this project.

“On a personal level, I have long advocated for the electrification of this line, something that will ensure truly green and sustainable connectivity for generations to come. I want the government to support us in implementing these improvements as soon as possible. »

Councilor Richard Overton, Deputy Chief and Cabinet Member for Housing, Law Enforcement and Transport at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: ‘We have been proactively seeking improvements to our borough’s rail line for many years. many years and we welcome the potential improvements identified by Midlands Connect which have been developed in collaboration with stakeholders like us.

“While the ultimate solution must be the electrification of our rail line, the benefits that line speed improvements will bring in the meantime are significant and should be implemented as soon as possible.

“We know that the way we travel is changing and that greener modes of transport are essential to ensure the sustainability of our transport network and part of our broader ambition to support the local economy, create jobs and keep Telford. and Wrekin in motion. “I hope the government shares our passion for this program and provides the necessary funding to enable work to begin as soon as possible.”