Wolverhampton to Heathrow train line planned

The journey, which would go via Reading, could start from 2026 if the country's £50 billion high-speed rail line HS2 goes ahead.

Bosses from the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority are exploring the route as one of several new services that could be created because of extra space on the tracks after some long-haul services to London and Manchester and Leeds will move to the new HS2 line.

Currently rail passengers heading to Britain's biggest airport would have to get off at Euston and take the Underground to Paddington and then take the Heathrow Express, or get the Tube to St Pancras and take a 45-minute journey on the Jubilee line.

Senior councillors have backed the proposal, which they say could boost tourism and businesses.

Wolverhampton City Council leader Councillor Roger Lawrence said: "A link to Heathrow would be positive as we all know the difficulties of accessing it by rail from Wolverhampton by having to go into central London, or by travelling car with the price of parking and getting there through the traffic.

"We do want to see more people using Birmingham Airport and therefore reduce the number of people who have to travel to London to fly, but at the same time and with the best will in the world Heathrow Airport will always have a vast greater number of services to places which Birmingham Airport doesn't. It will help with connectivity and be particularly good for making it easier for tourists and visitors to get here - but we do want to see an increase of services from Birmingham Airport too.

"HS2 brings an opportunity to open up new rail services and we will be fighting the West Midlands' corner to get the best services we can."

Councillor Wendy Thompson, the leader of the Conservative opposition on the council, said: "It would be great - anything that improves connectivity with the country's main airport would be fantastic for the city and our industries. The sooner it can happen the better as we have a problem with capacity on our railways."

Toby Rackliff, the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority's rail policy and strategy manager, said: "The capacity released by HS2 offers a unique and exciting opportunity to re-shape the West Midlands rail network so it better serves local people and businesses.

"The Authority has identified a number of potential improvements including more services between the Black Country and London and between Wolverhampton/Walsall and Birmingham International and is already working closely with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and train operators on these proposals."