Memorandum submitted by Nottingham City Council (EM02-09)

 

Nottingham City Council wishes to draw the Committee's attention to the important issues raised in the attached report.

 

The report, which has been prepared and submitted by Nottinghamshire County Council is fully endorsed by Nottingham City Council and covers a variety of rail funding issues which need to be addressed if the East Midlands is to fulfil its economic potential and compete equally with other regions.

 

What we would like to see is the completion of the on going East Midlands Signalling Renewal programme and the committed Midland Main Line line-speed improvements. This must be done to ensure that the Office of Rail Regulation's specified journey time reduction targets are achieved. Given the compelling business case and associated environmental benefits we think the Government must now commit to the electrification of the Midland Main Line. In securing this vital investment it will allow us to achieve our ambition of a Nottingham to London rail service in 90 minutes, more comparable with other cities.

 

We would also like to draw attention to the issue of High Speed Rail. Although the initial work is focusing on a route between London and the West Midlands, in order to avoid any future imbalance of investment it is essential a network of routes is pursued. The case for a High Speed Rail line through the East Midlands is justified through:

 

· The high planned growth rate for housing

· High growth forecasts for population and employment

· 2% per annum traffic growth rate, the highest growth rate of any region in England.

· High levels of congestion in the M1 corridor (amongst the worst in the country)

· St Pancras is the existing national rail gateway into Europe via HS1 and the Channel Tunnel

· A high dependence on airports outside of the region which have poor existing rail connections from the region

· The relative uncompetitiveness of the Midland Main Line in terms of journey times

· London is a key market and links are identified by the business community as a priority.

· Improve access to the growing economies of northern cities

· High Speed Rail would free up capacity on the mainline for passengers and freight.

 

As a Core City, 9^th largest urban area and largest economy in the region we believe a High Speed Rail service should directly serve Nottingham City Centre. Through attracting additional visitors and inward investment this will bring significant economic benefits to the wider region.

 

We would like the Select Committee to consider this evidence on rail under investment in their deliberations and lend their support to securing the vital infrastructure improvements outlined above in support of the economy of the East Midlands.

 

6 October 2009