A view from the Midlands

■ 80% of Midlands residents live within 5km of a railway station, but fewer than 3% of journeys starting or ending in the Midlands are by rail.

■ The Strategic Transport Plan is forecast to grow the region’s economy by £1.9 billion per year, rising to £4.1bn per year by 2061.

■ The Midlands Engine Rail programme will create 19 million more seats.

■ Road transport generates 96% of carbon emissions in the Midlands. ■ Every parcel or person transported by rail instead of by road network reduces CO2 emissions by 70%.

■ Six of the UK’s 11 strategic rail freight routes, and five of the UK’s six major road freight routes, run through the Midlands.