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Plans are underway for nearly 300 additional trains to pass through Cheltenham Spa railway station each week, thanks to a £1.75 billion hub project. Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson met with Midlands Connect and rail executives on Wednesday to discuss the plans.

The Midlands Rail Hub project, valued at £1.75 billion, is set to provide approximately four million extra seats annually for passengers travelling between Cheltenham and Birmingham. This will be achieved by adding an extra four trains per hour on the route, two in each direction.

In 2023, the previous Government pledged full delivery of the Midlands Rail Hub, and in February last year, an additional £123m was allocated towards the project for detailed engineering designs. Construction is slated to run from 2025 to 2033.

Max Wilkinson said: "Cheltenham's rail connections are very important for our local economy. Improved links are vital for our town – primarily for business travellers, but also for leisure trips.

"Whether it's to the Midlands, towards Bristol, the North or London, we'll benefit from easier access to and from our town.

"I'm interested to hear more about the positive opportunities offered by the Midlands Rail Hub and other future Improvements too."

Paul Butters, director of communications at Midlands Connect, said: "It was great to meet Max, brief him on the plans and explain how the Midlands Rail Hub could deliver a massive transport boost for the town.

"Delivering faster and more frequent trains to Cheltenham would make a massive difference and we are working hard to deliver it.

"I look forward to working with Max in the months and years ahead to deliver this vital scheme for the region."

The meeting also included representatives from the West Midlands Rail Executive.