Commenting on the news that the Prime Minister has cancelled Phase 2 of the HS2 project, Sir John Peace, Chairman of #MidlandsEngine and #MidlandsConnect, said:
“We are disappointed and disheartened by the HS2 announcement.
We must not start from scratch, we must work at pace to deliver HS2 Phase 1 all the way to Euston. There are also lessons to be learnt from the HS2 story so far.
The Midlands Rail Hub and road programmes including the A5 which have been announced today resonate with us, these are our transformational East-West priorities for the region, which we recommended and have been progressing with Government.
We are now calling for more detail on timescales and plan of action, and asking for a high-level urgent meeting with ministers, to ensure these plans and the benefits for the Midlands are delivered as quickly as possible.
We will now work, like we always do, cross-party and in an open and collaborative way with all involved.”
#MidlandsConnect and #MidlandsEngine – working together and with partners across the entire Midlands to drive pan-regional economic prosperity.
Continuing programme of work
Jun 17 2025
With government funding coming to an end in March 2025, the Midlands Engine has now ceased operations. But the influence of our work together – across local government, business, academia and communities right across the Midlands – will be felt long into the future.
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Continuing programme of work
May 23 2025
Economic Opportunities
May 9 2025
Today, (Friday 9 May 2025) a coalition of 15 Midlands universities launch a bold new initiative that is set to revolutionise how research and innovation are translated into real-world impact across the region.
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