Notts County Council calls for East Coast railway improvements

The Consortium of East Coast Main Line Authorities – of which Nottinghamshire County Council is a member – is calling for investment in the line following eight months of research which is part of the ECMA’s bid for investment for upgrades to the route.

The research shows that economies linked by the East Coast Main Line are worth well over £300bn each year to the UK, with significant potential for growth worth £5bn if rail connections were improved along the whole route.

Furthermore, the predicted economic benefits increase to £9bn if the route is improved in addition to the eastern arm of High Speed 2 being built, allowing high speed trains to connect Leeds, York, the North East and Scotland to Birmingham and London.

The Consortium met with Government ministers, business leaders and Members of the UK and Scottish Parliaments at events in Edinburgh and London.

As well as setting out the action all partners need to take to help boost economic growth across the ECML at the events, the ECMA has urged the rail industry to suggest and deliver schemes that best achieve the potential for economic growth as identified in the research.

“Businesses, politicians and interested parties have heard a united call for investment in the East Coast Mainline from local authorities up and down the line,” said Coun Kevin Greaves, chairman of the county council’s transport and highways committee.

“We want to see the collective economic benefits to be harnessed from improved connectivity. This investment is critical for unlocking the full potential of business in our county.”