CHAMBER NEWS
Midlands leaders call on Chancellor to back Midlands Rail Hub
The Midlands Rail Hub is the
flagship scheme of Midlands Engine Rail and will cost about £2bn. It includes a catalogue of improvements to improve journey times and increase capacity on the railway via track and platform upgrades, new signalling systems and the construction of two new “chords” running into Birmingham Moor Street Station.
Sir John Peace and Andy Street have joined forces to urge the Chancellor to support the “nationally-critical” Midlands Rail Hub infrastructure project. The Midlands Engine chairman
and West Midlands Mayor wrote a letter to Rishi Sunak highlighting the importance of a once-in-a- generation opportunity to unite the Midlands region by improving public transport links between the East and West Midlands. They said it must feature
prominently in the Government’s
upcoming Integrated Rail Plan, which will outline national rail investment plans for the next 20 years. Sir John, who is also chairman
of the Midlands Connect transport body, said: “These plans will bring the East and West Midlands closer together, and empower travellers to take faster, more reliable public transport connections.” Andy Street added the Midlands
Rail Hub was a “perfect candidate” for the Government’s “Project Speed”.
‘These plans will bring the East and West Midlands closer together’
Once complete, it will create space for 20 extra passenger trains every hour into and out of central Birmingham, enhancing east-west links that include direct rail services between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. The first elements of the Midlands Rail Hub, including reopening a platform at Birmingham Snow Hill station, could be delivered by 2024.
Smart ticketing system is needed
MPs have urged the Government to invest in a Midlands-wide “tap and cap” smart ticketing system for public transport – helping to boost passenger numbers, convenience and safety post-Covid. Nottingham South MP
Lilian Greenwood and West Bromwich East MP Nicola Richards joined forces to pressure the Chancellor to back the £20m system in his Budget. The Oyster Card-style
platform would allow passengers to travel seamlessly across the whole Midlands region, paying for journeys on buses, trams and trains via one smart device, mobile phone or credit card.
Businesses urged to start exporting to Africa
Greater Broadmarsh put in the hands of panel
Resolving the future of Nottingham’s Greater Broadmarsh site took a step forward as an independent advisory panel was appointed by the city council to offer recommendations. Featuring representatives from Boots and Historic England, the
design and delivery will help to build an ambitious vision for transforming more than 20 acres of land in the heart of the city centre. The volunteers have been chosen for their expert knowledge and
experience in urban design, architectural expertise, work on delivering major international and national projects, and their understanding of the city’s heritage and future. Chaired by Greg Nugent, a former London 2012 director who has
also helped set up The Nottingham Project, a group aiming to reinvigorate the city, the panel has been asked to recommend two crucial aspects for the future of the site – a creative vision for the space and how Nottingham can deliver the project over the next decade, set to be published in summer 2021. Greg said: “Nottingham has a huge opportunity to use the
Greater Broadmarsh space to create something that transforms the future of the city – this is perhaps the biggest opportunity the city has ever had.”
44 business networkMarch 2021
New exporting opportunities across one of the world’s most diverse economies were explored as the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Midlands Engine hosted a virtual visit to Africa. HM Trade Commissioner for Africa
Emma Wade-Smith OBE, who hosted last month’s event for businesses and universities from across the region, identified avenues for collaboration and partnerships. She also highlighted the growing
demand across Africa for British goods, services and expertise. Five of the world’s 10 fastest-
growing economies are in Africa and Emma said there are significant synergies between the traditional strengths of businesses in the Midlands region and the major areas of opportunity within Africa. These include industries such as automotive, healthcare, life sciences, education, food and drink, defence, cyber security and rail. She added: “With the increasing
growth of consumer groups, the acceleration of digitisation, and the emerging spirit of innovation and
Emma Wade-Smith OBE
entrepreneurship across Africa, the continent is becoming a global economic powerhouse and a hotspot for trade and investment.”
To explore the range of opportunities available in Africa, contact the DIT international trade adviser team at
events@tradeEM.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
