Centro would like to see greater reference within the core strategy to the role of buses in making cross boundary journeys into the West Midlands Metropolitan Area. Centro's adopted Integrated Public Transport Prospectus identifies the importance of the 'Journey to Work' area bus services between metropololitan West Midlands and major centres within Warwaick DC. Continued support and promotion of these services will help to reduce the use of the private car whilst encouraging sustainable travel options.

The recent High Level Output Specification Programme announcement made by the Department for Transport will enable the electrification of existing rail lines that will improve accessibility and reliability of rail services.

The routes to be electrified as part of the Electric Spine and other previous agreed projects include the Southampton Port - Basingstoke - Reading - Oxford - Leamington - Coventry.

This will allow operation of electric freight and longer distance passenger trains over this route
It would also enable the proposed NUCKLE Phase 2 service to be electrically operated and linked into other local services on the Birmingham - Coventry corridor increasing through journey opportunities and connectivity to Birmingham, Birmingham Airport, NEC and HS2 Interchange from Leamington and Kenilworth.

It is expected that these improvement will be made during either Control Period 5 (2014-2019) or Control Period 6 (2019-2024) both of which will occur during the Local Plan's lifespan. Centro strongly encourages Warwick DC to integrate the line and service improvements into the evolving Local Plan.