Two major transport announcements, coming out of the 2018 Conservative Party Conference, have been welcomed by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
Speaking at the Conference at the ICC in Birmingham today (October 1), Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond MP said funding would be made available to support a new, locally-led development body for the area around Toton, “..to attract investment, create jobs and provide opportunities.”
An East Midlands Hub Station, Innovation Campus, housing and other associated development is proposed to be built at Toton; as part of the planned ‘eastern leg’ of the HS2 Phase 2b route due to run from the West Midlands, through Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, by 2033.
The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership – the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary organisations, promoting economic growth across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire – is heavily involved in activities to bring the HS2 Phase 2b route to its area.
It is an active partner in the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board; a partnership of more than 20 of the region’s local authorities, businesses and Local Enterprise Partnerships, which promotes HS2 in the East Midlands. D2N2 has also funded work into how the area can lever the best economic advantage from HS2’s presence in the area, ahead of and when the route opens.
Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 LEP, (pictured above) said today: “HS2 has huge potential for helping boost the LEP area and wider economy, not only as a transport route but through the investment and associated development it will attract.
“D2N2, and its partners in the Midlands Engine and at Midlands Connect, have been promoting the potential benefits for jobs, housing and infrastructure this transformative project could bring for a number of years. Today’s welcome news from the Chancellor, proposing a locally-led delivery body to secure investment and jobs around the planned Toton HS2 site, shows that Government likes and agrees with what we have been saying.”
Ms Fagan also applauded a separate Party Conference announcement, by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, that Nottinghamshire County Council will receive £18million to improve the A614 at six junctions, between Ollerton and Lowdham via the Major Road Network programme. This work would include improvements at the A614/A616/A6075 Ollerton roundabout and the A614/Mickledale Lane and A614/Eakring Road junctions.
Full details for the scheme will be available in spring 2019.
“Again, this shows what can be achieved by partners in the LEP area and wider Midlands lobbying together, for major infrastructure improvements. Better access along the A614 can only benefit jobs, business growth and open up areas for much needed housing development,” added Ms Fagan.
For further information about HS2 in the D2N2 LEP area go to website links www.emcouncils.gov.uk/HS2-Strategic-Board and www.hs2.org.uk/stations/east-midlands-hub/
Media wanting more information about the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership can contact Sean Kirby, D2N2 Communications Manager, on 0115 9578749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
