A NEW draft strategy to transform rail services across Worcestershire has been unveiled and train users and residents are being urged to have their say.
Worcestershire County Council has launched a consultation on the document which is aimed at delivering rail improvements across the county and beyond.
The strategy highlights how rail has a key role to play in connecting people and places and will support the exciting levelling-up, regeneration and growth plans which already exist.
Coun Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy Infrastructure and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Rail is essential to Worcestershire.
“The new strategy will build on the county’s first rail strategy which delivered a fantastic new interchange at Worcestershire Parkway and new station building at Kidderminster.
“The strategy highlights the county’s rail ambitions for driving forward rail improvements, recognizing the role rail plays in connecting people, communities and businesses.”
Worcestershire’s rail passenger numbers are increasing rapidly and are almost back to pre-Covid levels.
This rail strategy sets out the county’s medium and long-term proposals to support and build on this passenger demand going forward.
The document looks to the future, setting timelines for delivery to 2050.
The council wants to collate the views of a wide range of organisations, businesses and individuals on the draft Worcestershire Rail Investment Strategy 2 (WRIS2).
The consultation is open until 5pm on October 21.
Visit worcestershire.gov.uk/wris for more on the draft strategy and to have your say.