Stansted Airport has welcomed recommendations for short- and long-term improvements on the West Anglia rail line.

With the announcement of a new regional rail franchise due at any time, a taskforce set up to build the case for investment in the route between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge, including the branch serving the airport, has called for new rolling stock and increased line capacity.

Chris Wiggan, head of external affair at Stansted Airport and a member of the taskforce working group, said: “With the announcement on the new rail franchise days away, we believe this is an ideal opportunity to implement the taskforce’s short term recommendations, including reducing journey times by at least four minutes to the airport and Cambridge and improving reliability on the line through the acquisition of new rolling stock.”

He added: “The airport now looks forward to working closely with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and the new operator to deliver faster and more reliable services to the airport and Cambridge over the next few years.”

On long-term recommendations from the taskforce, Mr Wiggan said: “Stansted supports the need for additional track capacity between Tottenham Hale and Broxbourne along with the seamless integration of the Stansted Express with future Crossrail 2 services.

“This should all be part of a sustained programme of investment in the line beyond 2026.”