Today the Government released the Integrated Rail Plan and announced the biggest programme of investment in rail for a century. The plan outlines major rail projects throughout the Midlands and the North that will help ensure opportunities for economic development and prosperity are shared equally across the United Kingdom.
With the East Midlands set to receive over £10 billion worth of investment and the Bolsover constituency benefiting from four major announcements.
There will be the full electrification of the Midland Mainline from London St Pancras to Sheffield – meaning quicker train services for residents using Chesterfield Station.
The Government also announced their commitment to the Robin Hood Line extension from Shirebrook to Ollerton via Warsop and Edwinstowe and the reopening of the Maid Marian Line to passenger services with the potential for a new station to serve the communities of Pinxton and Selston, in neighbouring Ashfield.
Both of these projects are subject to a successful full business case being submitted by the Local Authorities, but I look forward to working with my colleagues Ben Bradley MP (Mansfield), Lee Anderson MP (Ashfield), and Mark Spencer MP (Sherwood) to get these proposals over the line.
And the decision to terminate HS2 Phase 2b at East Midlands Parkway will be welcomed by many residents who would have seen their communities devastated by the proposed route.
Mark has been campaigning for these four projects since being elected in 2019, including meeting with Ministers, publishing local surveys, and working with Local Authorities.
Commenting on the announcement Mark said:
‘'It seemed to me that we were suffering all the pain of HS2 without any gains. The project would not have been delivered for another 20 years and I have long argued for the money to be spent on local transport projects.
Today’s announcements are a more localised approach to transport with direct investment into the constituency and the wider East Midlands worth over £10 Billion.
This investment will help to transform our rail network, improve public transport, and turbocharge the local economy, whilst protecting our beautiful constituency from the devastating effects of HS2.
Ultimately, this decision shifts power from London and cities, to towns and rural communities. For many in my constituency this news is levelling-up in action. ‘’
You can read the integrated rail plan here -> Integrated Rail Plan: biggest ever public investment in Britain’s rail network will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys across North and Midlands - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
