The East and West Midlands form the backbone of England, serving as a crucial corridor for rail passenger and freight services that seamlessly connect the North and South of the country, as well as Scotland and Wales. With a population exceeding 10 million and generating over £230 billion in GVA annually, the Midlands is experiencing unprecedented investment in its rail infrastructure. This investment aims to deliver significant environmental, economic, and social benefits not only for the Midlands but for the entire UK.
One of the region's biggest challenges is engaging with the vast array of suppliers needed to meet a demanding schedule of works. As all regions of the UK mobilise their supply chains for multi-billion-pound projects, the Midlands stands out as a hub of opportunity for both domestic and international suppliers. There is a huge scope of opportunities available across the Midlands.
Network Rail, responsible for the ownership, operation, maintenance, and development of Britain's railway, is funded through a mix of direct grants from the UK and Scottish Governments, charges levied on train operators, and income from their commercial property estate. The procurement for CP7, Network Rail’s next five-year spending period, began in April 2024 and continues until 2029, offering an enormous £44 billion to new and existing suppliers.
Three of Network Rail's major routes run through the Midlands: the Eastern, Central, and West Coast South routes. Each route has an approved programme of works that includes:
- Civils and Construction
- Continued Electrification
- Digital Signalling to Increase Capacity, Reduce Delays, and Enhance Safety
- Freight Improvements
- Network Resilience to Weather
- Net-Zero and Sustainable Growth Initiatives
- Renewing and Repairing Thousands of Kilometres of Track
- Safety Enhancements
- Station Improvements
The newly formed GBRX, part of Great British Railways, is a specialised strategic innovation body working to unlock opportunities in innovation and advanced technologies. GBRX is looking to collaborate with tech businesses globally to overcome barriers to data integration and apply advanced technologies such as data science, machine learning, and quantum engineering.
In response to the Conservative party’s decision to cut Phase 2 of HS2, the Mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands commissioned a private sector consortium to review the role of enhanced connectivity in catalysing growth, skills, and jobs across their city-regions. This review, chaired by infrastructure expert Sir David Higgins, explores opportunities for greater private sector involvement in delivering and financing new solutions.
TransCityRail offers direct access to decision-makers seeking innovative suppliers. With a network of over 350,000 rail industry leaders, TransCityRail engages suppliers through strategic partnerships and networking events. These events, held across the North, Midlands, South of England, and Scotland, include conferences, exhibitions, and networking dinners, resulting in billions of pounds in contracts being awarded.
To learn more about the opportunities in the Midlands rail sector and how you can get involved, download our comprehensive report now. Don't miss out on the chance to be part of this transformative journey.
Download the report today and unlock your potential in the Midlands rail sector!
