England is a compact country, notable for its ease of access. Business travellers arriving and travelling throughout the country by air, sea, road and rail will benefit from the country’s continuously upgraded transport system. Here, VisitEngland highlights some of the recent transport updates.

Conference Torquay has linked up with First Great Western to offer discounted rail fares to delegates attending conferences on the English Riviera. Nicky Harding of Conference Torquay said: “With train journey times of just under 3 hours from London and now with reduced fares for delegates, Torquay has even greater appeal for conferences. By taking advantage of competitive conference rates at the Riviera International Conference Centre, First Great Western and Conference Torquay have made holding a conference on the English Riviera even more attractive in these times of austerity.”

The partners behind the Birmingham Gateway project are inviting people to have their say on plans to transform New Street Station into a landmark, 21st century transport hub. Extensive consultation has helped redefine the design since Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, Advantage West Midlands and centro first joined forces to find the best solution for New Street. Preparatory work on the Gateway project started in September 2009 to prepare a site next to the station for the creation of a new concourse. The enw concourse is expected to open to the public in 2012 when the old concourse will then be redeveloped, delivering a world-class station upon completion in 2015. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne added: “Once completed, a modern Birmingham New Street station will offer a better transport interchange for the 140,000 passengers who use it every day, and the wider Birmingham Gateway project will deliver a massive economic, employment and regeneration boost to the area.”

Orient-Express has unveiled its new brochure ‘Journeys in Great Britain’ for the 2012-2013 season, showcasing its luxurious trains across England, the Northern Belle and the British Pullman, and their schedule of excursions. The new brochure features a collection of elegant journeys to historic cities and castles, gourmet dining experiences, weekend trips and sporting events. Choose from events such as the Cheltenham Races and Chester Races, Wimbledon tennis, RHS Hampton Court and Harrogate Flower Show and many more.

Gatwick Airport is undergoing the biggest transformation in its history. The £1 billion capital investment programme underway aims to make Gatwick a smooth journey for everyone. Passengers are already enjoying many benefits:
• a quick and convenient connection on our new inter terminal shuttle which opened in July 2010, two months early.
• quick and easy access into North Terminal through our new interchange which incorporates a new forecourt, shuttle station, lifts and escalators.
• more space, shops and restaurants in the extended South Terminal departure lounge
• brighter, modernised gaterooms in South Terminal.

This summer, the North Terminal extension will be unveiled – creating space for quicker, more flexible check-in and more space for your bags. By March 2012, South Terminal will have a new entrance, offering space and clearer routes. There’s also plenty going on behind the scenes, with new baggage systems planned for both terminals. Most will be ready for the London 2012 Olympics, with the rest in place by March 2013.

In other accessibility news, Jet2 will be expanding services from Manchester Airport from March 2012 to include new direct routes to Paris, Toulouse, Bergamo, Budapest and Barcelona.