BETTER rail links and an improved southern city link road have the backing of the county’s MPs.

Robin Walker, Worcester’s MP, has put his weight behind getting a Worcestershire Parkway railway station at Norton, which has again been pushed into the spotlight by the publication of the South Worcestershire Development Plan preferred options.

Peter Luff, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, has backed a new rail station for two decades and said he was “delighted” it was a priority.

Harriett Baldwin, West Worcestershire MP has also been vocally backing improved rail links from Malvern to London along the Cotswold line. All three say the station, which would sit on the Birmingham to Bristol main line, is a key infrastructure priority.

The station would handle potential passenger numbers generated if the strategy’s proposed allocation for 2,450 new homes at nearby Brockhill and Norton goes ahead.

They also agree on improving the southern link road (A4440) joining Junction 7 of the M5 with Powick roundabout.

In the strategy Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council and Malvern Hills District Council believe the area needs 20,000 new homes and 309 hectares of employment land between 2006 and 2030 to grow, while creating jobs and maintaining living standards.

A key issue is how to get the necessary – and costly – road and rail improvements, schools, hospitals and surgeries built together with the houses.

With Government spending tight, the onus is falling on private companies to bridge the gap.

Mr Walker recently wrote to the secretary of state for Transport about the railway station.

“I’ve asked that when the transport secretary looks at contract renewal for the rail operators on the main line, could they get the operator to support Worcestershire Parkway station,” he said.

Mr Walker believes the station can only become a reality with the investment from a rail operator.

Meanwhile, Mrs Baldwin is “keen to see” better rail links along the Cotswold Line, including signalling improvements at Worcester.

She has also called for faster broadband for rural businesses and an overhaul of the “over capacity” southern link road.

Mr Luff said: “The parkway project will benefit people in large areas of South Worcestershire and is an important part of the transport strategy.

“I think you could pay for it and it would make money, the challenging issues are signalling changes and convincing the operators to accommodate another stop.”

• Adrian Hardman, Worcestershire County Council leader, is “delighted” the three councils have produced a joint strategy.

“We now have a clear steer from the three councils,” he said.