High Speed Rail Industry Leaders welcomes the launch of Midlands Engine Rail – a £3.5 billion improvement programme to transform the region’s rail network – by Sub-national Transport Body Midlands Connect. The programme emphasises the essential importance of HS2 to the future of the transport network in the region, acknowledging HS2 as the backbone of the Midlands’ future plans for east-west and north-south rail passenger and freight connectivity across the region and beyond.
Made up of seven projects spanning the East and West Midlands, the programme is strategically-important in supercharging the Midlands Engine economy and is designed to drive sustainability, productivity and social mobility across the whole region. It also includes and builds upon the flagship Midlands Rail Hub scheme; aimed at boosting east-west connectivity, which was submitted to Government in June 2019. (more…)