In the 2017 Budget, billions of pounds were committed to the regions, giving them responsibility for the planning and construction of better transport infrastructure.
Improving infrastructure across the country was highlighted as one of the ‘Grand Challenges’ of this Government in the Budget. A £1.7bn Transforming Cities Fund was announced, which included £6m for us to further the development of the Midlands Rail Hub and the Midlands Motorway Hub, and the National Productivity Investment Fund was expanded to £31bn.
Maria Machancoses
While we welcome this national commitment, we believe road infrastructure funding decisions also need a strong regional influence. That’s why Midlands Connect has worked closely with councils on the development of the Government’s major road network plans, to ensure funding to improve or replace A roads benefits the region as a whole.
We know that the Midlands, with productivity levels below the national average, needs to improve. We have always said since the release of our Picking up the Pace report in July 2016 that better connectivity is the key to better productivity.
Raising the productivity gap to the national average could add £54bn to the Midlands’ economy by 2030, as set out in the Midlands Engine Vision for Growth earlier this year. And when the Midlands succeeds, the rest of the country succeeds.
What role do UK roads have to play?
In our Midlands Connect Final Strategy, we singled out a number of specific roads in the region for urgent action. The M6 north of Birmingham was identified, as it has been previously by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), as being one of the three sections of road infrastructure nationally that are most in need of government investment.
We also highlighted the A6 from Cannock to Rugby for efficiency improvements. We believe that 21 minutes could be cut from the journey – a significant reduction on a key route for freight. Our wider ambition is to achieve an average speed of 60mph across the entire Midlands strategic road network.
These roads will form the basis for the network that we call the Midlands Motorway Hub. The project was allocated £4m from the Government in the Budget to support its continued development. Improvements here will unlock the potential of the Midlands, increase productivity and be a major boost to the economic power of the entire UK.
But we can’t secure these important infrastructure investments alone. We’re working closely with Highways England on its Strategic Road Network Initial Report for 2020-2025 to make sure its advice to the Government reflects what Midlands businesses and transport users need. Our Final Strategy mirrors Highways England’s focus on extending Smart Motorways (we are preparing a business case for Junction 15-16 of the M6 around Stoke on Trent, joining up existing schemes), and rolling out an expressway network (we’re undertaking a strategic study for an expressway on the A46 through the Midlands).
We believe this kind of collaboration can and will lead to tangible investments with the potential to transform our road network.
We also believe that road improvements should not exist in a silo. The transformational arrival of HS2 will need complementary road and rail infrastructure; the Government has committed to spending an extra £300m in the Midlands and the North to make that happen.
For cities that already have regeneration projects planned around HS2 stations this is a major boost. For instance, the East Midlands Hub around Toton has ambitions to create 10,000 new jobs and a network of new garden villages among its growth strategy, while 1,900 new homes and 16,500 new jobs could be created around the Birmingham Interchange Station near Birmingham Airport. Similarly ambitious plans have been laid out for the Crewe Hub. Roads will be integral to making these new areas truly accessible.
Better infrastructure, a better range of jobs and better international investment
The Midlands is increasingly attracting investment from around the world. At the moment we are trading with 178 countries, and are the only UK region with an export surplus to China which currently stands at almost £3bn. However, for this investment to continue there must be space for businesses and their workforces to travel with comfort and reliability.
The Midlands has always been filled with the talent and potential to attract international investment and compete globally. With better infrastructure, it can fulfil that potential and not only bring prosperity to itself, but in its position at the centre of the UK transport network, it can bring prosperity to the entire UK.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
