Government statistics have revealed the growth in rail passengers in the West Midlands continues to beat London and the South-east.

The figures, released yesterday by the Department for Transport, show that over the last decade the number of people travelling by train in the region has risen by almost 50 per cent - compared to under 30 per cent in the capital.

The evidence bolsters the region's case for greater transport funding, according to its most senior transport politician.

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"We need to remind Government that rail commuting is not just an issue for the Southeast," said Coun Gary Clarke (Con Walsall Streetly), West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority chairman.

"In the Birmingham rush hour we now have one in five commuters travelling by train and around half of them have left a car behind.

"That makes a significant impact in cutting congestion on our roads.

"It is clear that without public-transport improvements we face even greater gridlock."

West Midlands rail passenger growth between 1994 and 2004 was 49 per cent, greater than London's 28 per cent and the national average of 37 per cent.