TfEM SETS OUT NEW AMBITIONS FOR IMPROVING RAIL IN THE EAST MIDLANDS

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TfEM today published a refresh of its ‘Rail Strategic Statement in the East Midlands’ recently agreed by the TfEM Board, which outlines the shared vision of local leaders for continuous improvement of rail, supporting levelling up and transport decarbonisation.

Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) brings together the ten Local Transport Authorities in the region together under the auspices of East Midlands Councils (EMC) to provide collective leadership on strategic transport issues.

TfEM’s ambition is to use rail to drive more sustainable patterns of movement and growth in the East Midlands by increasing connectivity for people and businesses within the region, and with the rest of the UK.

The East Midlands does not have an extensive rail network and despite planned improvements, much of our rolling stock remains old and slow and increasingly unreliable. Yet there is a clear case for growing rail in the East Midlands to support population growth, deliver ‘levelling up’ and address the Climate Emergency that many councils have recognised.

The Strategic Statement sets out TfEM’s expectations for regional rail investment policies, improved operational performance and an improved customer offer supporting value for money, quality and convenience. It also supports the innovative Rail Collaboration Agreement TfEM has with the Department for Transport1and will inform regional engagement with the emerging Great British Railways, Network Rail, train operators and sub-national transport bodies like Midlands Connect and Transport for the North.

Andrew Pritchard, EMC Director of Policy and Infrastructure said: The TfEM Rail Strategic

Statement provides clarity on the region’s ambition for the rail and reconfirms the TfEM Board’s commitment to driving improvements for communities and businesses across the East Midlands”.

Kyle Butterworth, TfEM Head of Rail Improvement said: “With so much rail industry activity including the plans for Great British Railways, Decarbonisation and Levelling Up – now is the right time to update the ambitions of the East Midlands Local Transport Authorities to work in partnership through TfEM with the rail industry and officials to redirect resources to unlock rail improvements in the East Midlands”.

Photo credit: istockphoto.com

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