London First has outlined a £620 million package to improve rail access to Stansted Airport.

In its report A World Class Rail Link for Stansted, the body proposes plans that could cut journey times on the Stansted Express to below 40 minutes, as well as halving its delays. It also wants to create additional headroom to make journeys from the airport easier for commuters and passengers.

These upgrades, it argues, will enable around two million people to reach the airport within an hour by either rail or coach. It also predicts economic benefits of around £1.2 billion.

Chief executive of London First Baroness Jo Valentine said: "Stansted has spare runway capacity. A rail link on a par with those to Heathrow, Gatwick and other airports would spur competition, giving Stansted a better chance to attract new airlines and passengers."

This follows ongoing disputes about upgrading London's airports to meet future capacity. Aside from Stansted, plans include building a third runway at Heathrow or establishing an airport on an island at the Thames estuary.