Loughborough to feature in transport upgrade plan

PLANS to improve transport in the Midlands lists upgrading connections around Loughborough as a priority.

Last week Midlands Connect launched its transport strategy which lists improvements to junction 19-23a of the M1 as a ‘key early priority’.

Midlands Connect, the body tasked with improving connectivity between the West and East Midlands, aims to boost the Midlands economy by £5bn per annum by 2040.

The strategy lists the delivery of M1 junction 19 -23a and Birmingham Box M5-M42 smart motorway schemes among its key early projects.

The road improvements aim to reduce congestion and improve journey times across the Midlands which in turn will boost “productivity and growth” and reduce costs to businesses.

The strategy also aims to ensure transport infrastructure is in place by 2030 ahead of HS2 and looks to transform east-west connectivity.

Other flagship proposals include: the Midlands Rail Hub which will help release an extra 85,000 train seats across the network daily and allow up to 10 extra trains an hour through central Birmingham.

Improvements are to be made to the A46 corridor, starting with improvements around Newark, and along the A52 between Derby and Nottingham - which will include access to the HS2 station at Toton and East Midlands Airport by the end of 2020.

And an increase in intelligent connec- tivity that could see trials for smart and digital travel applications such as connected autonomous vehicles.

Midlands Connect will use £17m of government funding over the next three years to undertake planning and design work on key early priorities.

Sir John Peace, chairman of Midlands Connect and Midlands Engine, said: “We believe that investing in this region’s transport can benefit the whole country and create a positive ripple effect to boost the development of industry, skills and housing.”