Council leader to push for details on impact of rail improvement plan

MINISTERS are to be pressed on just what the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) means for Nottinghamshire.

Ben Bradley MP, the leader of the County Council is set to speak with ministers about the plan, which sets out the Government’s updated proposals to update the rail network in the Midlands and the North.

The 162-page plan says the Midland Main Line from London to Nottingham and beyond will be electrified and upgraded by the end of 2030, instead of a new line being built.

The original plan was for HS2 to stop at Toton, but the IRP has changed that, meaning Nottingham will be served, but on existing railway lines.

The paper states that the Government expects local taxpayers to make a contribution to the system’s capital costs.

Mr Bradley said: “I for one am very happy to welcome nearly £13 billion investment.

“This is a very significant investment in our area that unlocks significant opportunities for us to create jobs and to link our residents to those jobs.

“We will be going back to government now to clarify the next steps in terms of the delivery mechanism for these projects.”

The plan states analysis found that passengers having to change at Toton to reach Nottingham would mean limited or no improvement on journey times.

A new high-speed line will be built from Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway.

The plan adds it will make journeys between Nottingham and Birmingham under half-anhour in length, and that trains to and from London to Nottingham will take 57 minutes with increased capacity.

The plan also says government is looking “to exploit any linkages with other investment in Nottinghamshire, including the proposals for the Robin Hood Line Extension and reopening the Maid Marian line”.