Following plans approved by Luton Borough Council, London Luton Airport will have a new railway station so that trains can run directly to the terminal. A 2.2 km rail line will be built to the existing Luton Airport Parkway station, replacing the current bus shuttle service. Plans call for a fully-automated, two-way, 24-hour capable Mass Passenger Transit system, which will run between purpose-built stations at Stirling Place and Central Terminal.
The line will run alongside the mainline railway before crossing over Airport Way via a new landmark bridge, and continuing through the airport’s existing mid-term car park, under a taxiway, and onto the Central Terminal.
The project is estimated at £200m (EUR 227.5 million). The line will reduce journey times between the airport and London to under half an hour.
Last year, London Luton Airport (LLAL) has announced plans to build a new 24-hour light rail link between Luton Airport Parkway station and the airport terminal. Plans have been confirmed for a the mass passenger transit system, similar to those already in use at Gatwick and Birmingham airports, to replace the current bus service.
The new service is due to be operational in 2020 and will make it easier and quicker for passengers to reach the airport terminal, improving the journey for more than 2 million passengers who presently travel to London Luton Airport (LLA) by train.
The light rail link is part of a broader rail connectivity improvement plan, which aims to introduce a 20 minute express rail service with four fast trains per hour between LLA and central London as part of the upcoming East Midlands rail franchise. LLA is also currently working with Transport for London to add the airport to the Oyster network which will help ensure smooth connections for passengers travelling by rail.
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