Sir John Peace calls on Government to back ‘Access to Toton’ Transport Plan

Today, Chairman of Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect, Sir John Peace, has called on the Government to back the ‘Access to Toton’ transport plan.

Download the ‘Access to Toton’ Transport Plan here.

Midlands Connect launched the £2.7 billion ‘Access to Toton’ multi-modal transport plan on behalf of partners across the East Midlands. It provides a sustainable blueprint that, if realised, will enable the East Midlands to thrive and will be an essential component to the Government’s levelling up agenda.

Commenting on today’s launch, Sir John Peace said:

The arrival of High Speed Two is a watershed moment for our region, and an opportunity that we must grasp with both hands. As we work towards an economic renewal post-COVID-19, the East Midlands must step forward and work together to secure the transport network, economic future and social mobility it deserves.

This truly integrated transport strategy isn’t just about connecting more people to the HS2 station; it will also support the building of new homes, accelerate transformational regeneration and link some of our most deprived communities to nationally-important assets across the East Midlands. It means spreading the benefits of high-speed rail to businesses and workers across the region, from our great cities of Derby, Leicester and Nottingham, to bustling towns like Mansfield and Loughborough and smaller communities that may otherwise feel HS2 won’t benefit them. Our message to Westminster is clear; support us in making this vision a reality.

Key highlights of the ‘Access to Toton’ transport plan include:

• Plan unveils new bus, rail and tram connections to the HS2 East Midlands Hub for over 20 villages, towns and cities, including Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Newark, Matlock, Mansfield and Long Eaton;
• Infrastructure investment central to region’s economic renewal post COVID-19 and support Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda;
• Investment will accelerate benefits of HS2 across region and support regeneration plans for 84,000 jobs and 4,500 homes;
• Region’s leaders back the plan to stimulate economic renewal and address figures which show East Midlands has lowest transport spend per head anywhere in the UK;
• Initial £4.5 million required from government to develop proposals further.