Our response to National Infrastructure Assessment
On Wednesday the National Infrastructure Commission published its ‘Second National Infrastructure Assessment’, providing government with advice on the UK's long-term infrastructure needs.
England’s Economic Heartland welcomes its recommendation to give all county and unitary authorities devolved long-term transport budgets. This is something EEH’s Board has consistently asked for. It would give local authorities – who know their areas better than anyone else - the certainty to plan in a …
Cllr Liz Leffman elected EEH Chair
Cllr Liz Leffman has been elected the new Chair of England’s Economic Heartland sub-national transport body.
The Oxfordshire County Council leader, who was appointed by EEH’s Strategic Transport Leadership Board on 29 September, had served as interim-chair following the local elections in May.
Cllr Leffman, a Liberal Democrat, has represented the rural Charlbury and the Wychwoods division in west Oxfordshire since 2017, becoming leader of Oxfordshire County Council in 2021. …
Naomi reflects on a huge week for transport
England's Economic Heartland's managing director, Naomi Green, reflects on what has been a huge week for transport across the country and what it means for our region:
Infrastructure and connectivity plays a huge part in driving this country’s economic growth and prosperity.
And the Prime Minister’s announcement about the future of HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester has far reaching consequences for many people and businesses across the Midlands and the …
England's Economic Heartland welcomes Ely Junction announcement
We are delighted that Ely has today been included in the new transport schemes announced by government (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/find-out-about-every-new-transport-project-in-your-region), following the Prime Minister's conference speech.
This has been a longstanding top priority for both England’s Economic Heartland and Transport East and the collective voice of our partnerships has been the reason why the Government has prioritised investment in Ely and Haughley rail junctions over so many other investment needs. …
EEH joins calls not to scrap London travelcard
England's Economic Heartland has leant its support to a campaign urging Sadiq Khan to reinstate London's Travelcard.
More than 20 organisations including sub-national transport bodies, business groups, passenger groups and local authorities have written to the Mayor of London urging him not to scrap the Day Travelcard next year.
Currently, people travelling into London can add a Travelcard onto their national rail ticket for use on the capital’s transport network, …
Swindon-Didcot-Oxford connectivity study published
Potential interventions to improve the transport system between Swindon, Didcot and Oxford have been identified in England’s Economic Heartland’s third connectivity study, published today.
Produced after extensive stakeholder engagement and compliant with DfT transport appraisal guidance, the study provides clarity on investment opportunities which EEH and its local authority partners can now seek to progress.
The Swindon-Didcot-Oxford area is globally renowned for its strengths in science and technology, containing some …
EEH Conference line-up revealed
With just over a month to go before our annual conference in Cambridge, we're revealing what promises to be our most engaging line-up of speakers and panellists to date.
Delegates will hear from (and be able to put their questions to) political leaders and senior figures and experts from local authorities, DfT, transport bodies, businesses, consultancies and universities - across a programme which we hope strikes an exciting balance between …
EEH holds Bus Symposium
England's Economic Heartland held its Bus Symposium 2023 at Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton on 15 September.
The event, attended by EEH Board members, heard from a number of expert speakers from national and local government and bus operators about what can be done to increase patronage and ensure bus journeys make a vital contribution towards giving people an alternative to the car, connecting them to jobs and services and …
EEH urges further engagement on ticket office plans
Proposed changes to railway ticket offices should not go ahead without further engagement with affected communities, England’s Economic Heartland has told train operators in its consultation response to the plans.
Our response includes four key principles which should inform any changes that are made. These are:
- Any proposed changes need to consider the issues of passenger safety, security and assistance carefully- all passengers should easily be able to access help …
Work supports roll out of electric vehicle public charging points to meet huge, predicted growth in demand
Work to ensure electric vehicle drivers have convenient access to charging points across eastern and central England is being supported by new data which identifies the best locations for EV infrastructure.
The mapping tool and report from Transport East and England’s Economic Heartland, two of England’s sub-national transport bodies (STBs), suggests that more than 22,000 public charging points are required for their areas in the coming years to support the …
