A major new report by Midlands Connect highlights the significant advantages a direct rail link between Coventry, Leicester, and Nottingham could bring to the region's universities. Academics believe this improved connectivity would foster collaboration and support university growth.
The research emphasises the transformative power of better rail connections. Currently, a mere 3% of journeys between Coventry and Leicester involve trains, compared to 30% for Coventry to Birmingham. Additionally, train speeds between Coventry and Leicester average 30 mph, while trips to London zip along at over 100 mph.
The proposed rail link boasts potential economic benefits exceeding £170 million. Travel times would also see a dramatic reduction, with Coventry to Leicester journeys plummeting from 54 minutes to as low as 30 minutes. Similarly, travel between Coventry and Nottingham would dip below the 60-minute mark. The project would also establish new, direct, and more frequent connections for Loughborough and East Midlands Parkway to Coventry.
Commenting on the new report and research, Andy Clark Integrated Transport Programme Lead at Midlands Connect said:
“Coventry and Leicester are two great cities - only a mere 20 miles apart as the crow flies. But getting a train from one to the other takes nearly an hour, and requires a change of train halfway, at Nuneaton.”
“It is great to see yet more evidence that improving this link could make a massive difference, this time, to our great universities, the jewel in the crowns of the great towns and cities of the Midlands. It is also heartening to see the massive support from students for the rail upgrades; it shows what an impact we could make, not only to the economy but also to people’s quality of life too.
“We at Midlands Connect have a firm plan to do something about this and have a credible proposal to seek regular, direct, trains services not just linking Coventry and Leicester, but going through Loughborough and East Midlands Parkway to unlock the benefits of the Freeport and then continuing to Nottingham. This scheme is the definition of a win-win project.”
Photo Credit: Istock
