New transport partnership set to drive Engine for Growth

Improving transport links to speed up journey times across the Midlands could boost the regional economy by more than £1bn a year, create 300,000 additional jobs and save businesses nearly £500m.

The figures were revealed at the launch of the newly strengthened Midlands Connect Partnership.

The partnership has been charged with developing a Midlands-wide transport strategy to drive the regional economy and power the Government’s ambition to build a Midlands Engine for Growth.

The strategy, to be developed jointly by the Midlands Connect Partnership and the Department for Transport, will set out credible long-term transport investment priorities to help unlock growth and jobs.

The launch follows the Government’s decision to work with the Partnership and put £5m towards the research and development of the strategy – Midlands Connect: Delivering a Transport Strategy for the Midlands.

It also follows the announcement of proposed legislation that would open the door to the Midlands Connect Partnership to seek formal powers over strategic transport schemes and investment.

The partnership, which includes more than 40 public and private organisations, has been pressing for better road, rail and freight links.

It believes better connectivity is vital for the Midlands to fulfil its growth potential and maximise the significant economic benefits offered by the forthcoming HS2 high speed rail line.

Signatories to the strategy include Transport Under-Secretary of State Robert Goodwill MP, HS2 Ltd chairman Sir David Higgins, Midlands Connect co-chairs Cllr Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council and Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, Peter Richardson, chairman of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (representing Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire),  David Frost, chair of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP, Cllr Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, Cllr Anne Western, leader of Derbyshire County Council and Cllr Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council.

Mr Goodwill said: “In addition to the massive investment the Government is making in our transport infrastructure, we want to help regions across the country to make their voices heard on how their transport networks are run.

“We know that good transport doesn’t just help people get around, it helps them get on and these are key components of our long term economic plan to boost jobs and growth.

“I congratulate the Midlands Connect Partnership on getting the Midlands Engine for Growth in motion and starting work on this vital strategy.”

The strategic plan being developed will aim to tackle those transport constraints in order to unlock growth opportunities and capitalise on HS2.

Sir David said: “HS2 has the potential to be more than a new railway. It’s an unprecedented opportunity to create jobs, boost skills and employment and improve transport connectivity across the country.

“Through Midlands Connect local, civic and business leaders are working strategically to get the whole region HS2 ready.

“The programme has received additional support today from Government investment to develop a vision and strategy for transforming transport connectivity across the region, in order to drive economic growth.”

Sir Albert said: “The Midlands has real economic strengths in engineering, manufacturing, construction and research all of which are crucial to the success of UK plc.

“But the evidence demonstrates that our economy is also constrained by poor transport links, particularly for east-west movements.

“That’s why today marks the start of an intensive 18 month process to develop a robust transport strategy identifying the big investments needed to unlock the region’s full potential.”

Research already carried out by Midlands Connect has shown that cutting journey times on key Midland routes by 20% over the next 20 years could yield local business savings of £460m a year, increase annual economic activity in the region by £1.1bn, create 306,000 additional jobs and benefit the labour market by £33m a year.

Research has also shown that the Midlands:
•         Is worth £178bn a year to UK plc
•         Has a third of all UK manufacturing jobs
•         Exports 16% of all UK exports worth £50bn
•         Has 20 universities with links to emerging sectors
•         Will see its population grow by 10% over the next 20 years
•         Is within four hours travel time of 90% of UK businesses
•         Has the UK’s biggest ‘pure’ freight airport at East Midlands
•         Has Birmingham Airport – one of just seven in the UK to serve more than 10 million passengers a year