Two North-West MPs are adding their support for a massive redevelopment of Birmingham’s New Street Station.

Carlisle Labour MP Eric Martlew and Conservative Sir Nicholas Winterton, who represents Macclesfield in Cheshire, say improving the West Midlands bottleneck should be a priority for the next phase of improvements to the West Coast Main Line.

Their call comes as an all-party group of MPs prepares to launch a campaign strategy for the rail route at the House of Commons later today (Tuesday 8 February).

MPs and members of the lobby group West Coast Rail 250 claim that now new tilting trains are running on the upgraded line, there is a desperate need to upgrade stations and end the weekend travel chaos which, they say, treats passengers with disdain.

“The West Coast Main Line is the UK’s most important rail line.  Regular investment is now required in the stations and it is essential that we never again allow this national asset to deteriorate as was the case in the 80s and 90s,” comments Eric Martlew MP.

Their strategy document also wants to see capacity improvements and longer platforms at local stations between Coventry and Birmingham.

“Strategies for continued investment and high levels of maintenance of the route are essential for the long-term good of the national economy, not just for the regions,” says Cumbria county councillor Bill Cameron, Chairman of West Coast Rail 250 introducing the strategy.

The campaign to protect and boost investment in the West Coast line has been welcomed by Cllr Gary Clarke, chairman of the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority which represents passenger and business interests in the region.

“We are already seeing dramatic conflicts between inter-city, local and freight services which have actually led to cuts rather than improvements,” says Cllr Clarke.  “The West Midlands has the highest level of passenger growth in the country with expanding regional and commuter services competing for track space at the hub of the national network.  This new independent strategy to balance the competing demands and continue the investment deserves the highest support.”

Current improvements to the West Coast Main Line along with the regeneration effect of projects such as Birmingham’s Bull Ring mean passenger figures in the rail corridor are expected to more than double by 2016.

In the longer term, the MPs group and Wet Coast Rail 250 say the Government should support a new High Speed Rail Link between London, Birmingham and the North West with a connection to Birmingham International Airport.  The new line would be developed like the £5bn Channel Tunnel Link, with the possibility of tunnelling on some city centre approaches, and a decision on the proposal would be needed by 2006.