Left: Design rendering of Luton Airport’s redeveloped terminal
Luton Borough Council (LBC) in North London has officially requested that an express rail service be introduced between London Luton Airport (LLA) and central London, with at least four fast trains an hour.
The request reflects the recommendations of the Shaw Report, released last week, which asked for greater local responsiveness in the rail network to bring it closer to customers and local groups. Luton Airport is currently served by just one fast train per hour and is the only major London airport without a dedicated express service.
LBC highlighted the business case for securing more fast trains between Luton Airport Parkway and London St Pancras stations, estimating that the move would catalyze a £26.5m (US$37m) per year economic boost for Luton.
Nick Barton, CEO of Luton Airport, said: “The Shaw Report makes clear that customers must be at the heart of the decision-making process within the rail industry. Committing to four fast trains per hour to Luton Airport Parkway through the new East Midlands Trains (EMT) franchise agreement would fit exactly in line with this ambition.
“We are currently investing £110m (US$155m) to transform the airport, increasing annual capacity by 50% by 2020. Improving rail connectivity to Luton Airport Parkway station would be a great example of joined-up thinking on transport and make a significant contribution to easing the current air capacity constraints across London and the South East.”