These are the main conclusions of a report published today by East Midlands Councils and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.- “The Case for Upgrading and Electrifying the Midland Main Line”. The report, produced by consulting engineers Arup, makes a compelling case for electrifying and upgrading the Midland Main Line (MML). The report will be discussed today at an event in Westminster by a group of MPs, local politicians and business representatives.
Faster journey times with more and longer trains will significantly improve the economic performance of a number of important towns and cities along the route, including Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Sheffield and Northamptonshire. The project also offers good value for money, and would help deal with population growth and support regeneration.
The scheme would be delivered by 2020.
Councillor David Parsons, Chair of East Midlands Councils said “Along with our colleagues in the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, East Midlands Councils welcomes this report that completely justifies the investment and improvement in the Midland Main Line. Local government in the East Midlands is behind it, local businesses are behind it and I hope that Westminster and the Department for Transport will also put their weight behind this vital project.”
Simon Carr of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership said "Upgrading and electrifying the Midland Mainline is essential in connecting the Sheffield City Region to London and the East Midlands. It is a project long overdue – more money has been spent on improving car parks on the West Coast Main Line in the past five years than on the whole of the Midland Main Line, and it is time to redress that balance. The report we are launching today shows benefits to our local economies of over £450m as well as reducing carbon and reducing the cost of the railways. We urge ministers to commit to this critical scheme as a priority for investment. "
The report highlights six main benefits of electrifying and upgrading the Midland Main Line :
- Improving Journey Times, Capacity and Reliability
- Providing Good Value for Money
- Generating Significant Economic Benefits, Helping to Rebalance the Economy
- Supporting Future Population Growth and Regeneration
- Reducing CO2 Emissions
- First Step towards an Improved Strategic Network
The full report is available at www.emcouncils.gov.uk/write/Case-for-Upgrading-Electrifying-Midland-Main-Line251111.pdf
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Press Release - Better journey times good value and improving the economy – Midland Main Line Upgrade & Electrification will deliver great benefits