Transport chiefs in £3.5bn funding call to make the most of HS2

Midlands Connect wants government to commit to Midlands Engine Rail in the Budget which could potentially add 736 services to the rail network each day.

The flagship scheme is the Midlands Rail Hub, a £2bn plan to revolutionise connectivity oncommuter and regional services between towns and cities including Coventry, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Lincoln, Worcester, Hereford and beyond.

The call comes after the government committed to building HS2 in full and launched an Integrated Rail Plan to maximise the benefits of investments in the Midlands and the North and their integration with Phase 2b.

Maria Machancoses, director of Midlands Connect, said: “Government must deliver on its promise of an infrastructure revolution and repay voters across the Midlands that were so pivotal to its election success.

“Creating a transport network fit for the future will spearhead prosperity, productivity and opportunity for decades to come.

“I urge the Chancellor to back Midlands Engine Rail to maximise the benefits of HS2, and allow our ambitious plans for the Midlands Rail Hub to move forward, better linking towns and cities across the region and levelling up the UK economy.”

Other Midlands Engine Rail schemes include a plan to enhance UK-wide rail connectivity to Coventry and Birmingham Airport, and improvements to the Birmingham – Shrewsbury rail corridor.

Financial backing has also been sought to develop a Midlands-wide plan to introduce contactless ticket payments on public transport, similar to the technology platform used in London.

Midlands Connect’s vision is to enable unlimited travel on rail, tram and bus services across the region using a bank card or smart device, with a daily payment cap.

Cllr Simon Geraghty, Leader of Worcestershire County Council, said:

“The Midlands Rail Hub will bring faster, more frequent rail links to Worcestershire from the rest of the Midlands and beyond. Being well connected can help Worcestershire residents to access good jobs, education and leisure opportunities and support local businesses to grow our economy.

“Midlands Connect’s plans support our ambitious growth aspirations and I strongly support the aim of securing this transformational investment to level up the country and ensure the whole of the Midlands benefits from infrastructure investment.”

Cllr David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council said:

“The Oakervee Review was clear – the people of the Midlands need both Midlands Engine Rail and HS2. The key thing for areas like Nottingham is the long-term connectivity of road and rail links with public transport like buses and trams, together with sustainable local infrastructure.

“This is the only way that we can unlock the true potential of HS2 in terms of boosting the economy and creating jobs. The Government must heed the recommendations provided by the Oakervee Review panel and support these plans in the Budget.”