Local MP Calls for Improved Rail Links between Tamworth and Birmingham Airport

During yesterday’s latest Parliamentary debate on transport in the House of Commons, Tamworth’s MP Christopher Pincher asked the Department of Transport to look at improving the rail links between Tamworth and Birmingham airport.

Christopher Pincher said, “The Secretary of State made it clear yesterday that he hopes that Birmingham airport can expand.  Currently, the 15-mile journey between Tamworth and the airport takes 45 minutes by rail.

“Does he therefore agree that infrastructure projects such as the Whitacre rail link, which would reduce the journey time to 18 minutes, could be beneficial to my constituents and the airport?”

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Stephen Hammond MP, replied, “My hon. Friend is right that good service access is essential for airports.  He is right to point out that the Secretary of State said on Tuesday that we regard Birmingham and Manchester not as regional airports but as important national airports in their own right.

“I am happy to look at the Whitacre link proposals.  I encourage my hon. Friend to continue to discuss the development of the business case with the local enterprise partnership and Centro, so that it can be brought forward.”