Midlands Connect’s Midlands Rail Hub plans were awarded a £20 million (EUR 22.8 million) in the Chancellor’s Budget, taking the £2 billion (EUR 2.28 billion) package of improvements to rail services to the next stage of development. The government commitment will fund Midlands Rail Hub detailed design, planning and costings.
“This funding pledge is a firm vote of confidence from the Government that it is committed to delivering the Midlands Rail Hub, an investment that will spearhead an infrastructure revolution and level up the economy,” Midlands Connect chairman, John Peace, said.
The proposals include 24 extra train services every hour on commuter and inter-regional services between towns and cities including Coventry, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Lincoln, Worcester, Hereford and beyond. Six million more passenger journeys every year will be made possible, with an estimated annual economic boost of £649 million (EUR 739.7 million).
Some of the proposed improvements could start to be delivered during this parliament including the reopening of platform 4 at Birmingham Snow Hill station, and improvements to line speeds between Leicester and Birmingham.
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget also committed funding to several road projects proposed by Midlands Connect.
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