East Midlands campaign for high speed rail

Pressure for a new East Midlands high speed rail hub, could see trains similar to the double-decker TGV Duplex in the region.

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce has stepped up its campaign to bring a high speed rail hub to the East Midlands by directly lobbying the new Transport Secretary.

Chamber president Richard Wilkins has written to the Phillip Hammond MP stating that 97 per cent of local firms support high speed rail and believe that the East Midlands economy would benefit from being connected to a UK – and European – network.

The coalition government is thought to be considering options for phase two, which include either a single line from Manchester to Birmingham, which would connect to phase one of the scheme; or a Y-shaped network which would include the Birmingham to Manchester line, along with a second spur between Birmingham and Leeds. This option would allow for an East Midlands hub to be established.

The proposed hub could bring economic benefits worth up to £3.8bn to the region.