Strategic transport body, Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) is calling on the new Chancellor not to leave East Midlands transport spending behind in the upcoming autumn statement.

Transport spending in the East Midlands has consistently fallen below the national average, and Government figures released earlier this year showed that transport infrastructure spending was at a deficit of just 64.7 per cent of the UK average for 2021/2022.

Last month, TfEM and Midlands Connect launched eight transport priorities to boost growth and investment for the region in their ‘Shared Vision’.

These priorities included electrification of the Midland Main Line, enhancements to the A46 Growth Corridor, improving safety and reliability on the A1, and better rail connectivity between Nottingham, Leicester & Coventry.

Other priorities include the A5 Growth Corridor, the delivery of HS2 to the East Midlands and Leeds, supporting growth and improving reliability throughout the A50/A500 Corridor and improving connectivity across EMDevCo and East Midlands Freeport areas.

Sir Peter Soulsby, Chair of TfEM and City Mayor of Leicester, said: “There is uncertainty around the impact that the upcoming budget will have on public sector spending generally, but it’s imperative that the East Midlands does not fall behind any further when it comes to transport funding.

“At present, if the East Midlands was funded at a level equivalent to the national average, it would have an extra £1.26bn per year to spend on transport.

“Our priorities set out a clear opportunity for growth and investment in the region, and now is the time for the Chancellor to solidify this Government’s commitments laid out in the Integrated Rail Plan almost one year ago, including the continued electrification of the Midland Main Line, the only mainline route yet to be fully electrified.”

The new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, will reveal his economic plan on 17 November.

For more information about the TfEM and Midlands Connect Shared Vision, see below