Fourteen lines in England and up to 40 new stations have been identified in a report by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) which could serve more than a million extra passengers.

The rail links would serve:
• Cranleigh (Surrey)
• Bordon, Hythe and Ringwood (Hampshire)
• Brixham (Devon)
• Aldridge and Brownhills (West Midlands)
• Wisbech (Cambridgeshire).
• Leicester to Burton (Derbyshire)
• Fleetwood, Rawtenstall and Skelmersdale (Lancashire)
• Washington (Tyne and Wear)
• Ashington & Blyth (Northumberland)

The expansion could see the reopening of lines closed due to the Beeching report in the 1960s

According to the report, the new connections could be implemented from 2014 and would be operational within five to 10 years.

Any decisions on future expansion will be taken by the government and Network Rail.