"The combination of National Express and Prism Rail represents an excellent opportunity as we are enhancing National Express's position in the rail sector of the UK's public transport market, " said National Express chief executive Phil White.

BBC: National Express bids for Prism

Both Gatwick and Heathrow have express rail lines from downtown, namely the Gatwick Express departing from Victoria Station and the Heathrow Express departing from Paddington Station, both of which will be less prone to gridlock than the motorways and the Tube.

BBC: Navigating the London 2012 exodus

Train journey times between Leeds and Manchester are to be cut under plans to electrify the North TransPennine Express rail route.

BBC: Electrified train lines to cut TransPennine journey times