‘Region suffering at London’s expense’
A REGIONAL transport boss has told MPs the Government needs to invest more in rail outside London.
Director of Midlands Connect, Maria Machancoses, told a House of Commons Transport Committee inquiry into the railways that the regions were suffering from a huge imbalance in investment compared to London and the South East.
Midlands Connect was set up to develop business plans and lobby for transport improvements across the East and West Midlands.
Ms Machancoses told “We’re no longer saying, the MPs: ‘we’re the poor Midlands, take care of us.’ We’re saying there is a huge momentum, our cities and towns and sectors have clear ambition for growth, our railways are being used, so this is the time to invest in the future prosperity of the Midlands.”
The cancellation of electrification on parts of the Midland Main Line in July 2017 was raised by Committee chair and Labour MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood.
Ms Machancoses replied: “We were not consulted. We were disappointed, not only with the decision but the way the decision was com- municated. We were not party to any discussions with Government.
“Our partners felt Midlands Connect was heading towards becoming a credible partner with Government, so decisions needed that kind of dialogue. It did have a massive knock on effect with the rail sector which the East Midlands is terribly proud of.”
She said that Midlands Connect wanted Government support to develop links between the Midland Main Line and HS2.
Midlands Connect has also called for official recognition and involvement in transport planning.