ROVER is planning a £40 million rail construction scheme at its Solihull manufacturing plant which would improve export potential and drastically reduce road traffic and transport costs. The BMW-owned firm has submitted joint plans with Railtrack for a 2.5-mile line and terminal facility linking the factory to the West Coast main line near Birmingham International station.

The manufacturer is waiting to see if a public enquiry is called. Rover says the rail link is expected to remove more than 100,000 heavy truck movements from around the Land Rover plant.