New stations, investment in improving infrastructure and reopening lines are the three main aims contained in Network Rail’s recently published West Midlands and Chilterns Route Utilisation Strategy.
The RUS looks at projected rail use over the next decade and also considers what steps may have to be taken to keep pace with demand over the next 30 years.
It suggests that two new stations, at Ricoh Arena and Bermuda Park, could be built on the Coventry to Nuneaton route, something that local people have been campaigning for for a long time.
A decision on funding is expected later this year.
Another possible scheme that may come to fruition is that of reintroducing passenger services from Oxford and Aylesbury to Bletchley and Milton Keynes.
In addition it recommends lengthening some services on a number of routes into and out of Birmingham during peak hours.
It also acknowledges that should HS2 go ahead, then capacity would become available on existing routes.
