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 the region and beyond over many years and decades. Next year - on the 30th anniversary of the East West Rail Consortium being launched to make the case for the scheme - East West Rail services will finally begin between Oxford and Milton Keynes. Proof that, by making a compelling case and speaking with a single voice, transformational change can be secured for our communities and businesses.
However, more needs to be done. There is a pressing need for infrastructure investment across the region. This was only heightened by the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework housing targets, which mandates a very significant increase in new homes in many areas of the Heartland. This must be accompanied by the necessary infrastructure.
2025 will be a pivotal year both for securing the investment we need and, importantly, ensuring that this is targeted towards a genuinely integrated transport system with the needs of people and places at its heart (we welcome the ambitions of the government's recently announced Integrated National Transport Strategy and will work with them to help shape it).
EEH will make the strongest, evidence-based case for regional priorities in the multiyear Spending Review in spring (alongside other opportunities such as the 10-year Infrastructure Plan and Road Investment Strategy), the approach for which was agreed by our Strategic Transport Leadership Board earlier this month.
Our priorities include:
> Maximising the value of investment in East West Rail
> Delivery of Ely Junction upgrade
> Improving bus journeys and mass rapid transit funding
> Progressing priorities identified within the Oxford to Cambridge roads study
> Long term funding for local transport
Our region has an incredible story to tell. With its world class strengths in knowledge-intensive industries, the EEH region is pivotal to the government achieving its number one mission of economic growth.
According to research by Cambridge Econometrics for EEH (available on our website), of the seven sub-national transport body areas which cover the entirety of England outside of London, the EEH region is ranked first on metrics including economic, jobs and population growth; exporting intensity; foreign investment; concentration of R&D jobs; and patent filings.
However, our continued economic success cannot be taken for granted. Slow productivity growth (only 0.2% p.a) means EEH is now 3% less productive (per job) than the rest of England: 20-years ago, it was more productive.
Without targeted intervention, a historically successful region with many globally significant assets risks being constrained. Limited connectivity and increased levels of gridlock will reduce the quality of life for our communities, harm our environment and simultaneously reduce the attractiveness of the region to international investors and global talent.
The essential co-ordinating function of sub-national transport bodies such as EEH was recognised this week within the government's devolution white paper. EEH is committed to working in collaboration with our partners, including local and combined authorities, government and MPs, to plan, secure and maximise the value of the investment this region needs to realise its enormous potential.
> Our approach to the multiyear spending review, agreed by our Strategic Transport Leadership Board earlier this month, ishere.
> You can also read our response to theIndustrial Strategy consultation