England's Economic Heartland

Our region has been at the forefront of the country’s focus on economic growth again this week - and for good reason. It is here, across the Oxford to Cambridge corridor, with brilliant places like Milton Keynes, Bedford and many more, that some of the UK's most important sectors are operating, growing and thriving. Just two days ago, I, with partners from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough gathered in Parliament at a brilliant event discussing the immense opportunity that the area offered - not just for local people but for the region and UK as a whole. The enthusiasm and commitment for economic growth and opportunity was immense. There is much to do but it is really exciting times. Today, the Chancellor built further on this, setting out her recognition of the corridor. Enabled by delivery of East West Rail, this region can, and will, deliver a genuinely well connected region that will bring communities and businesses together now and in the future. But how do we make the opportunity a reality? One thing I have taken out of our many discussions this week? It is partnership that will make it happen. As our Chair, Liz Leffman has said: “By working in a spirit of genuine collaboration across the public and private sector we can collectively deliver the exciting opportunities outlines today by the Chancellor”. We look forward to working with you to achieve the vision for this region that we have collectively shared for so long….. England's Economic Heartland Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Nik Johnson Shaun Grady Charlotte Horobin Professor Ross Renton Andrew Pakes Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board East West Railway Company Arc Universities Group Oxford to Cambridge Pan-Regional Partnership

England's Economic Heartland's final connectivity study and its corresponding Connecting Economies brochure on the on the Luton-Bedfordshire-Corby corridor has been published. Through our connectivity studies, EEH has developed an evidence base that shows the most effective connectivity solutions for key corridors across the region. The evidence captured is being used to shape investment proposals going forward, through EEH or in support of individual local authorities’ priorities. The studies were guided by the policies set out in the EEH transport strategy, steered by our local authority partners and approved by our Strategic Transport Leadership Board. The package of interventions identified form a key part of our investment pipeline for the region. Our Connecting Economies series of brochures are informed by the studies. They provide an accessible compendium of both evidence and asks to government, which England’s Economic Heartland, its local and combined authority partners, MPs, private sector and others can use to make the case for improved connectivity and infrastructure investment in our region. Each contains expert insight from Cambridge Econometrics on the economic potential of seven corridors within the region, followed by a selection of transport interventions which our evidence base suggests would unlock economic growth along them. Interventions highlighted within the Luton-Bedfordshire-Corby corridor include: > Maximising opportunities from East West Rail > A1 connectivity improvements > Connecting the Midland and East Coast main lines between Corby and Peterborough > Connectivity improvements around Bedford > Connectivity improvements around Luton and London Luton Airport > Highways improvements in North Northamptonshire > Varsity Way and Bedfordshire-Milton Keynes Waterway active travel routes Read the Connecting Economies Brochure below.

EEH and the East West Main Line Partnership have both submitted responses to the East West Rail consultation, which closed on Friday. The response to the East West Railway Company from EEH seeks to maximise the value of Government's investment in the scheme and include: > Decarbonisation: Welcoming the proposal for operate East West Rail under electric traction, though more detail needs to be given on the preferred ‘discontinuous’ electrification option and what this can enable operationally. > Door-to-door connectivity: Ensuring the scheme is developed to maximise door-to-door connectivity and supporting the on-going legacy for East West > Rail: Planning for excellent door-to-door connectivity should be an integrated part of the EWR scheme, given it will be critical to both the customer journey experience and success of the scheme. > Improved rail connectivity into East West Rail: Ensuring the scheme is developed to maximise the opportunities to deliver improved rail linkages across the region: This includes the Northampton-Old Oak Common corridor (and within this, the Aylesbury-Milton Keynes link); improved connectivity from Oxford to Swindon, Bristol and the West Midlands; and from Cambridge to Ipswich and Norwich. > Digital connectivity: Ensuring that high quality digital connectivity, alongside physical connectivity should be delivered from the outset for the remainder of core scheme, building on the success of the fibre and 5G project between Bicester and Bletchley. The East West Main Line Partnership Board also detailed how the value of East West Rail can be maximised. It also highlighted the need for high quality engagement with local communities, and to ensure lessons learnt from the first phase of construction are applied to the next stages. Read the full responses here: https://lnkd.in/eARfFgJp

'IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR REGION' AS CHANCELLOR LAUNCHES OXFORD-CAMBRIDGE GROWTH CORRIDOR In a speech in Oxfordshire today, Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves outlined new plans to deliver the 'Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor'. Her speech confirmed the appointment of Lord Patrick Vallance as Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion. In response, Chair of England’s Economic Heartland, Cllr Liz Leffman said: “The Chancellor rightly highlights the huge potential of our region to significantly contribute to UK economic growth. Through regional collaboration, including via EEH, local leaders are already working closely with businesses and universities to seize these opportunities. "I welcome Lord Patrick Vallance to his new role and look forward to working with him. Moving forwards, it is important that lessons from the past are learnt. There must be genuine and trusted collaboration between Government, local leaders and the private sector which builds on the strengths of existing partnerships. It is important that the work already carried out by EEH and other local and regional partners informs future decisions: we must keep momentum, not go back to the drawing board. “As the Chancellor stated, East West Rail will transform the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge region. The benefits from Government’s investment must be maximised for the economy, skills, communities, nature and wider connectivity. EEH is working to make sure there is a single, integrated transport system – ensuring as many people and businesses as possible can access East West Rail. By integrating an ‘East West Main Line’ into the wider transport system, the impact of investment will be felt beyond the core route: including in places such as Aylesbury, Northamptonshire, Luton, Swindon, Bristol, West Midlands, Hertfordshire, Ipswich and Norwich. “Supporting our freight and logistics sector is the building block of economic growth. Upgrading Ely Junction in Cambridgeshire will transform the way goods are transported between Port of Felixstowe and the Midlands and North. Targeted improvements which ensure our strategic roads can continue to support economic growth are also vital. EEH has previously worked with Department for Transport and National Highways on a major study which identifies priority interventions, and it is imperative that these are progressed. “The launch of the ‘Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor’ is an important moment for our region. By working in a spirit of genuine collaboration across the public and private sector we can collectively deliver the exciting opportunities outlined today by the Chancellor.”

Delivery of the Ely Junction upgrades is a major priority for England's Economic Heartland. It is essential for the economy, ensuring many more goods can be smoothly moved between Felixstowe and the Midlands, North and even Scotland. It is essential for our integrated transport system, removing nearly 100,000 lorries from our roads; cutting congestion by 5.6 million hours; improving rail passenger services; unlocking opportunities for East West Rail east of Cambridge to Norwich; freeing up rail capacity around London; and directly supporting DfT's rail freight growth targets. And it is essential for our environment, cutting emissions by 1.7 million tonnes over 60 years. That's why working with partners including Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, local authorities, MPs, Transport East, chambers of commerce, and the freight and logistics industry to make the strongest possible case for Ely (and Haughley) ahead of the multiyear Spending Review.

Delivery of the Ely Junction upgrades is a major priority for England's Economic Heartland. It is essential for the economy, ensuring many more goods can be smoothly moved between Felixstowe and the Midlands, North and even Scotland. It is essential for our integrated transport system, removing nearly 100,000 lorries from our roads; cutting congestion by 5.6 million hours; improving rail passenger services; unlocking opportunities for East West Rail east of Cambridge to Norwich; freeing up rail capacity around London; and directly supporting DfT's rail freight growth targets. And it is essential for our environment, cutting emissions by 1.7 million tonnes over 60 years. That's why working with partners including Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, local authorities, MPs, Transport East, chambers of commerce, and the freight and logistics industry to make the strongest possible case for Ely (and Haughley) ahead of the multiyear Spending Review.

Work on buses will accelerate in 2025 as EEH publishes expert advice produced during 2024 EEH's will further expand its work on improving bus journeys in the region during 2025, following publication of a series of documents produced as part of our work in 2024. Following our Bus Symposium in October, EEH's Strategic Transport Leadership Board has agreed the 2025 work programme which includes: >A deep dive into 'total transport' working with West Northamptonshire Council and Cambridgeshire County Council > Building a compelling case for the routes within the 'Heartbeat' regional bus network > Commissioning in-depth and localised evidence on the economic value of buses per local authority area. The Board also agreed to the publication of the technical outputs from our 2024 programme, designed to arm members and officers with the evidence and information they need to make informed decisions about future opportunities. Read this expert advice here: https://lnkd.in/esffnadw

Passengers and businesses are set to benefit from enhanced broadband connectivity along the section of East West Rail between Bicester Village and Bletchley. On behalf of England’s Connected Heartland, Oxfordshire County Council has selected AWTG Ltd, a 5G mobile private network supplier, to install infrastructure along the route following a public procurement exercise. AWTG will begin work on the project over coming weeks. Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (following a bid formally supported by EEH), the project aims to enhance rail passenger connectivity and bring benefits to businesses and residents along the route. There will be an extension of fixed wireless broadband to rural communities and trackside business parks, and to farms to support agritech applications. The 5G rail project aims to develop a combined revenue commercial model for delivering enhanced passenger connectivity through onboard WiFi. Train companies will also be able to offload data collected onboard their services for operational purposes.

East West Rail will transform the economic geography of the region. It is vital the scheme leaves the best possible legacy, not just for the UK economy, but for the communities and businesses throughout the region. This work, including around door-to-door connectivity and the scheme's legacy in terms of areas such as tourism, will be a major part of EEH's work in 2025. EEH's Strategic Transport Leadership Board, which met earlier this month, agreed the broad principles which will guide our response to the East West Railway Company's consultation on the scheme. This includes ensuring it is delivered in line with EEH's transport strategy, addressing issues such as decarbonisation; maximising door-to-door connectivity; and integration with other opportunities, for example around broader rail connectivity, active travel links, digital fibre and bus services. Following a request from a number of our leaders, to coincide with the consultation EEH collated an information booklet which sets out the positive case for East West Rail from the perspective of a potential user. For example, this includes around access to new jobs and leisure opportunities. Read the booklet below.

Importance of Ely Junction upgrades highlighted to new Secretary of State MPs on the East of England All-Party Parliamentary Group have written to the new Secretary of State for Transport urging the improvements to Ely Junction go ahead as part of the forthcoming Spending Year. The letter to Heidi Alexander was also signed by EEH Chair, Cllr Liz Leffman, and Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson. It included the revised Keeping Trade on Track document, produced by EEH and Transport East, which highlights the overwhelming case for the scheme to: > Improve the performance on the railways - By increasing capacity and reducing bottlenecks, and stimulating 277,000 extra rail passenger journeys per year. The scheme has a remarkably high benefit-cost ratio, returning £4.89 of benefits for every £1 invested. > Transform infrastructure to work for the whole country - The new freight services will primarily serve freight terminals in the Midlands, North and Scotland, reduce pressure on London’s rail network, and reduce congestion by 5.6 million hours per year. (Ely is referenced in the strategies of Transport for London, Transport for the North and Midlands Connect) > Deliver greener transport - By supporting modal shift to rail, Ely will remove the need for 98,000 HGV journeys every year, reducing carbon emissions by 1.7m tonnes of CO2 over 60 years.