EEH backs electrification of key routes

England’s Economic Heartland is backing completion of Midland Main Line electrification and the construction of East West Rail as an electrified railway.

EEH’s latest transport strategy, published on February 24, also calls for electrification of the Chiltern Main Line as well as infill electrification schemes to enable greater electric haulage of freight trains.

On East West Rail, the strategy looks to the reopened railway to support economic activity and housing groups, with transport hubs planned at locations where the railway crosses other routes.

It says that EEH will work with Network Rail, government and sub-national transport bodies to maximise the allocation of capacity released on the existing network by HS2, and will support the development of strategic rail freight interchanges.

Dave Hodgson, chairman of England’s Economic Heartland’s strategic transport forum, said the region could lead the UK’s ‘green economic recovery’, adding: “Our future success cannot be taken for granted. The need for change is compelling and as a region we are committed to delivering that change. In so doing we must also help level up opportunities across our region, so that everyone is given the chance to realise their potential.

“Our focus must now be on turning words into actions. The strategy will require investment - from Government, from our partners and from the private sector. But as a region we offer investors a significant return on their initial outlay.”