A report by Midlands Connect has highlighted eight key areas for investment as part of its vision to grow connectivity between Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury and Wales.
Focusing on both rail and road transport improvements, the 11-page document shows how employability and productivity can be increased through an investment in a corridor of growth with integrated and sustainable transport links, which would boost the local and regional economies.
In the Autumn Budget, Rachel Reeves assigned £445m for transport infrastructure across Wales. Midlands Connect’s priorities for similar investment in transport infrastructure align perfectly with similar investment to that which has been allocated just over the border.
By increasing investment in transport, the West Midlands will be better placed to sustain, grow, unlock further benefits and improve access across the region and the Welsh borders.
The eight areas Midlands Connect wants to see investment in are:
- Integrated transport networks and hubs between Rail and Road transport
- Increased line speed between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, to increase rail services and capacity
- Improved ticketing and travel information
- Increased freight connectivity
- EV infrastructure
- Upgrading highway infrastructure on the M54 and A5
- Reduced emissions and congestion
- Sustainable and active travel
Looking to the future, the report concludes with turning the corridor for growth vision in to reality through case studies, funding strategies, public consultations and pilot schemes.
“This document sets out a shared vision for investment in transport to support new housing, growing employment hubs, thriving town centres, and greener, more sustainable ways to travel.
It builds on what’s already working, aligns with other regional and local plans, but also makes the case for where we must go further.”
Maria Machancoses, Chief Executive of Midlands Connect
“I welcome the publication of today’s important report by Midlands Connect, which sets out the case for investment in Shrewsbury’s strategic transport links. Building on the work of the Shrewsbury Transport Integration Group, this strategic policy document identifies the key benefits for Shrewsbury in terms of health, education, employment and tourism if we can secure investment to improve our public transport offering, as well as upgrading the A5 road. I will be working closely with partners to take forward these proposals as a key driver for economic growth.”
Julia Buckley, MP for Shrewsbury
Responses
I sincerely hope that this does not mean electrification towards Shrewsbury along with MAS signalling, both of which would be a costly mistake. The hideous sight of electrification masts and wires is unnecessary as battery power has evolved considerably in recent times. The station area signalling at Shrewsbury General appears to be perfectly adequate and would seem to be a rather complicated, costly and unnecessary, time-consuming , disruptive change. Additionally, any signalling change would quickly become out of date and would probably go wrong, as illustrated by the increasing numbers of signalling problems which have occurred this year with so-called ‘modern’ signalling!