Looking ahead to a pivotal 2025 for the region
What an eventful year 2024 has been, with a General Election, a new government and a flurry of policy announcements which will result in significant change in our region and beyond.
One of the most important moments for the Heartland came when the Chancellor committed to delivering an electrified East West Rail to Bedford and Cambridge. It was the result of tireless campaigning by political and businesses leaders based in …
Booklet highlights benefits of East West Rail...and it isn't just about physical connectivity...
East West Rail will transform the economic geography of the region. It is vital the scheme leaves the best possible legacy, not just for the UK economy, but for the communities and businesses throughout the region. This work, including around door-to-door connectivity and the scheme's legacy in terms of areas such as tourism, will be a major part of EEH's work in 2025.
EEH's Strategic Transport Leadership Board, which met …
Importance of Ely Junction upgrades highlighted to new Secretary of State
MPs on the East of England All-Party Parliamentary Group have written to the new Secretary of State for Transport urging the improvements to Ely Junction go ahead as part of the forthcoming Spending Year.
The letter to Heidi Alexander was also signed by EEH Chair, Cllr Liz Leffman, and Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson. It included the revised Keeping Trade on Track document, produced by EEH and …
Work on buses will accelerate in 2025 as EEH publishes expert advice produced during 2024
EEH's will further expand its work on improving bus journeys in the region during 2025, following publication of a series of documents produced as part of our work in 2024.
Following our Bus Symposium in October, EEH's Strategic Transport Leadership Board has agreed the 2025 work programme which includes:
> A deep dive into 'total transport' working with West Northamptonshire Council and Cambridgeshire County Council
> Building a compelling case …
A brilliant two days in Bedford
England's Economic Heartland was delighted to host this year's Local Transport Summit, which took place in Bedford earlier this month.
Delegates enjoyed a walking tour of Bedford, before presentations from partners including Oxfordshire, Bedford, Buckinghamshire and Luton, roundtables on the importance of integration, and an address by Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood. On the second day, buses and professional best practice were on the agenda.
Managing Director Naomi Green said: …
EEH Chair welcomes new transport secretary to role
Cllr Liz Leffman, Chair of England's Economic Heartland said:
On behalf of England's Economic Heartland I’d like to congratulate Heidi Alexander on becoming Secretary of State for Transport. With her constituency in Swindon, it is exciting to have a transport secretary who is based in the England's Economic Heartland region, and I know my team have recently met with her to discuss what EEH is doing in and around the …
EEH reacts to launch of East West Rail statutory consultation
East West Railway Company has launched its third non-statutory consultation for East West Rail, seeking feedback to inform its updated proposals.
Cllr Liz Leffman, Chair of England's Economic Heartland said: “East West Rail will transform the way people can sustainably access jobs, skills, leisure and housing across the region. Our world class universities, science parks and knowledge-intensive businesses will finally be linked together: fuelling innovation, attracting inward investment, creating prosperity …
Budget: EEH responds as Chancellor commits to East West Rail
At today's Budget, the Chancellor committed to the delivery of East West Rail to Bedford and Cambridge. She said work on the Marston Vale line would be 'accelerated' with East West Rail services by 2030, and that a consultation on next stages would launch in November.
England's Economic Heartland Chair, Cllr Liz Leffman, said:
"Our region and its concentration of knowledge-intensive businesses, world class universities and highly talented workforce are …
EEH working with SMEs on innovation project
England's Economic Heartland is working with two SMEs as they develop innovative solutions to better understand travel behaviours, as part of Connected Places Catapult's 'Local Authority Transport Decarbonisation Accelerator'.
The six-month programme is designed to trial disruptive new innovations aimed at reducing transport emissions. Connected Places Catapult will assist the SMEs by providing a bespoke programme of commercial support.
As part of the programme, EEH set a challenge to develop …
EEH publishes rail main line priorities study
Opportunities to unlock substantial economic and environmental benefits by investing in rail are being taken forward by England’s Economic Heartland, following expert analysis of the region’s long-term rail needs.
EEH’s Rail Main Line Priorities Study, published today, provides a comprehensive baseline of rail in the region post-covid, considering not just the network itself, but the quality of door-to-door connectivity and interchange. It then highlights nine ‘packages for investment’ across the …
