Midlands Connect Strategy: Powering the Midlands Engine

Document summary

The Midlands is the largest economic area outside of London. It attracts more inward investment and creates more start-up businesses than anywhere in the UK outside of the capital. It is already home to six million jobs and our companies export to 178 countries. A strong Midlands economy brings growth to the rest of the UK because the supplier and customer networks of our businesses spread far and wide. The Midlands is the first region to benefit from HS2. Through Midlands Connect, we are making sure the region is not only well connected to the three HS2 stations, Curzon Street, Interchange and East Midlands Hub, but also the three stations served by classic compatible trains, Chesterfield, Crewe and Stafford. We also want to capitalise on the released capacity HS2 will bring. Road and rail networks that work in the Midlands also work for the UK because they bring regional economies closer together and improve access to markets, suppliers and consumers, both within the UK and overseas. Whilst the Midlands economy is strong it is not reaching its full potential, with productivity below the national average. If we can improve transport connectivity between towns and cities within the Midlands and with key centres elsewhere, then we could boost economic growth to the benefit of both the Midlands and UK plc. The Midlands Connect Strategy sets out our proposals for how we can start to turn some of this untapped economic potential into real growth, more and better jobs for local people, more trade and investment for local companies, and more opportunities for businesses to expand and for communities to thrive. Our work has been developed in close collaboration with the DfT, Network Rail, Highways England, HS2 Ltd and other key stakeholders. Whilst our vision is ambitious, it is built on a strong technical evidence base and does not assume unlimited financial resources. In addition to implementing existing commitments, we set out a limited number of priorities which we will develop further over the next three years, making use of the additional £17 million of Government funding announced in autumn 2016, to enable delivery to start in the period 2020 to 2025. We also provide a set of longer term interventions for development and delivery over the following years. Our objective is to establish a rolling 25-year programme of strategic road and rail improvements, split into five year blocks consistent with expected road and rail investment periods and the implementation of HS2. This comprehensive long term approach will give much-needed certainty to businesses, communities and investors whilst also improving quality of life, improving skills and enhancing access to new opportunities, both within the Midlands and beyond.