Direct rail link between cities moves step closer

A direct rail route between Leicester and Coventry is a step closer to becoming a reality after it was included in a new plan to link cities across the East Midlands.

Transport thinktank Midlands Connect has set out the future of public transport in the region, and a significant piece of the puzzle includes a direct rail link between the two cities.

At the moment, there is only one service which runs hourly, which takes about an hour and includes a change at Nuneaton.

In the plans, dubbed a “once in a generation opportunity”, there will be a direct train for people who want to travel between the two cities, as well as Nottingham.

The Strategic Transport Plan for the Midlands has been officially launched in a bid to get both government backing and funding.

A crucial element of the CoventryLeicester-Nottingham

rail service lies in Nuneaton, using a dive-under tunnel.

But what is yet to be decided is whether Nuneaton would actually benefit from being home to the tunnel, which is estimated to cost up to £120 million.

There are two options, one of which would see the services call at Nuneaton, while the other option would see the fast services run straight through.

Campaigners in Nuneaton, including MP Marcus Jones, want the service to stop at the station.

When asked if a final decision had been made, a Midlands Connect spokesman said: “Both options are still on the table – we’re seeking support from the government to create an Outline Business Case, where more analysis (on engineering solutions and economics) will allow us to select a preferred option.”