23.11.12
Stansted calls for faster rail links and Crossrail connection
Stansted Airport says that faster and more reliable rail links could help attract at least an extra 1.4 million passengers a year to use the airport.
Its new ‘vision’ for rail, launched today, includes plans for a 30-minute journey time from London, extending Crossrail to Stansted, and a long-term vision for it to become the best connected air-rail hub in the UK.
Managing director Nick Barton (pictured above) said: “We believe there is a strong case to link the airport to high speed rail and support the proposals to extend Crossrail to Stansted.
“The east of England has suffered for too long from the effects of under-investment in the rail network and these improvements would have a significant impact on the local economy, jobs and long term growth. Our vision is for Stansted to be the best connected air-rail hub in the UK, delivering fast, frequent and more reliable services for our passengers and the local community. The case is clear for investing in the railway to Stansted.”
He added: “Stansted is proud to be the leading major UK airport for public transport use, with now 50% of passengers using train, bus and coach to travel to and from Stansted. But we want to build on this success, so that is why we also want to see more frequent trains to Cambridge, East Anglia and beyond opening up the airport to new communities.”
Ruud Haket, managing director of Greater Anglia, urged improvements to rail access to Stansted. Speaking at the event, he said: “Passengers are already seeing the benefits of high quality new trains on airport services, but to achieve future aspirations such as quicker journey times, more capacity on the route and more late night and early morning trains, will require significant investment in additional infrastructure.
“We have already worked to raise the profile of future regional rail developments by playing a pivotal role in the creation of the Rail Prospectus for East Anglia and the stakeholder alliance to promote the schemes it proposes. It is clear that a coordinated, sustained approach, clearly evidencing the regional, economic and business benefits of rail service upgrades, will give us the best chance of gaining the funding needed to achieve some of the enhancements sought by both air travellers and daily commuters.
“We look forward to working with Stansted Airport, Network Rail and other stakeholders to further improve rail services to the airport in the years to come.”
Stansted Airport’s rail vision targets in full
Short to medium term:
Work with Network Rail and train operators on improving reliability with the aim to see 95% of trains running on time by 2015.
Work with the rail industry to introduce 03.20 service from Liverpool Street to Stansted to serve first ‘wave’ departures.
Work with the rail industry to reduce the minimum journey time on the Stansted Express service by at least 5 minutes by 2017.
Work with the rail industry to reduce the variation in journey times on the Stansted Express service and implement a standardised journey time by 2015.
Work with train operators to introduce better rail connections to Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk including two trains per hour to the City of Cambridge.
Support the extension of Crossrail to Stansted and reduced journey times.
Work with train operators to promote the use of rail and improve the passenger experience including introducing real time passenger information, travelcards, competitive fares and increasing the use of social media.
In partnership with regional stakeholders secure Government commitment to invest in new infrastructure on the WAML to enable faster and more reliable journeys.
In partnership with regional stakeholders secure Government commitment to deliver a 30 minute service from the airport to Central London.
Support regional stakeholder aspirations to improve links from the WAML to Stratford supporting regeneration in the Lea Valley and opening up Stansted to new communities.
Secure long term commitment to retain the current rolling stock (Class 379 Electrostar) on the Stansted Express service.
Long term:
Invest in infrastructure on the WAML to enable 30 minute service from the airport to Central London.
Deliver a Crossrail link from Stansted to London.
Introduce a 24 hour rail service to Stansted.
Explore rail freight facilities for Stansted with the aspiration to create a rail link to connect with the Great Eastern Mainline, Felixstowe and Thames Ports.
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