Network Rail has released a new study that looks into what transport improvements are needed in London and the south-east of England in the next ten to 30 years.

The London and South-East market study concludes that far more services will be required to satisfy rapidly rising demand for trains into and out of London.

It suggests that passenger numbers will rise by 27 per cent by 2031, as more people secure jobs in the capital.

The company is expecting 168 per cent growth on Crossrail lines out of Paddington and a 64 per cent increase on Thameslink routes from London Bridge within the next five years.

Network Rail said that 70 per cent of all train journeys in England and Wales currently take place in London and the south-east, which is why it is such an important market. Two further studies on regional urban and freight services have also been produced.

London will be central to the UK's massive rail infrastructure regeneration plans in the future. The Crossrail network will make the city more accessible and it will also benefit from high-speed services to the Midlands and north of England.