A new rail strategy to transform the county's service has been announced, including putting on more trains between Worcester and London.

The plan, announced by Worcestershire County Council, seeks to deliver better rail improvements across the county into the future, including more trains between Worcester and the capital and faster trains to Bristol.

The purpose of the plan is to 'set the county’s medium and long-term proposals to support and build on passenger demand until 2050'.

The plan, adopted by the council, includes more frequent trains to London, greater country-wide connectivity, introduction of a fast Worcestershire to Bristol service, Worcester Shrub Hill and Redditch masterplans implementation, Worcester area signalling modernisation and ongoing development of station accessibility including parking.

Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, Councillor Marc Bayliss, said: “I am delighted to announce the adoption of this new rail strategy. It builds on the county’s first rail strategy which delivered the fantastic Worcestershire Parkway and a new station building at Kidderminster.

The strategy highlights the county’s ambitions for driving forward rail improvements, recognising the role that rail plays in connecting people, communities, and businesses.’’

The strategy involves ongoing preparation of an outline business case for faster, Worcester to London service (two trains per hour and one direct train per hour from Kidderminster/Droitwich Spa to Oxford and London.

For further information and to view the full strategy visit: http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/wris