Calls for more fast trains at Luton Airport Parkway increase

At present just one East Midlands train an hour stops off at Luton Airport Parkway on route to London St Pancras.

As this journey takes just over 20 minutes Luton Airport is in advanced discussions with the Department for Transport to up the frequency of stopoffs at Parkway to four per hour.

At a meeting on Monday next week Luton Borough Council’s executive are set to agree proposals to back this move by lobbying the Department for Transport.

In a report Robin Porter, LBC’s director of commerical and transformation services, has said that without the increase Luton Airport will be at a “significant commercial disadvantage in comparison to the other London airports.”

Luton Airport chief executive Nick Barton welcomed LBC’s backing.

He told the Herald & Post: “As our plans to improve the airport and increase capacity continue, so does the need to create strong public transport connections.

“Fast East Midlands Train services from London St Pancras already reach Luton Airport Parkway in 20 minutes once every hour.

“Our future vision, as part of the upcoming rail franchise, is to increase this to four fast trains per hour to improve connectivity and significantly increase the number of people using rail to access the airport.

“The council’s support for such a vision highlights the improvements that an increase in fast trains would bring to the local and surrounding communities,” he added.

DfT is set to start the planning process for the East Midlands franchise this spring, ready for the start of operation in March 2018.