Strong case for existing operator to provide initial East West Rail services
There is a strong case for services on East West Rail's 'western section' to initially be provided by an existing operator rather than Government seeking to let a franchise, according to England's Economic Heartland.
With the section between Oxford and Bedford and Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, due to open in the early 2020s, EEH believes there is a pressing need for clarity over how services will be operated.
And with …
MARTIN TUGWELL BLOG: Please join the conversation on Outline Transport Strategy
Today marks a month since England’s Economic Heartland’s third regional conference, where we launched our Outline Transport Strategy.
This marked the start of a period of engagement with people and businesses on the challenges and opportunities that exist across the Heartland – and I’d encourage people to let us know their views by emailing engagement@englandseconomicheartland.com
At the heart of the strategy is its vision – ‘connecting people and places with …
Road improvement schemes submitted to Government
More than £700m worth of road investment priorities in and around the Oxford to Cambridge Arc have been submitted to Government by regional body England's Economic Heartland.
The schemes – which include junction improvements, capacity upgrades and new relief roads - would reduce congestion and improve journey times, helping to realise the region's immense economic potential, which Government has made a national priority.
EEH's submission follows a request from Government …
ICE recommendations merit further exploration
The Institution of Civil Engineers today published its State of the Nation report which sets out a series of interventions for better integrating the planning and delivery of housing and infrastructure.
EEH Programme Director, Martin Tugwell, said: "The ICE's State of the Nation report makes for some very interesting reading.
"In particular, the recommendation for Sub-national Transport Bodies to become Strategic Infrastructure Bodies - with a co-ordinating …
Study identifies priorities for freight and logistics
A major study into freight and logistics in and around the Oxford to Cambridge Arc has identified a number of priorities for the region, including improving strategic road access, maximising the use of rail freight, and encouraging investment in greener technology.
The study by England's Economic Heartland (EEH), was unveiled at its annual conference in Hertfordshire yesterday (July 16), and will be a major input into its overarching Transport Strategy. …
England’s Economic Heartland launches Outline Transport Strategy at annual conference
A wide-ranging debate on the future of transport in and around the Oxford to Cambridge Arc has been launched by England's Economic Heartland (EEH), as it unveiled its Outline Transport Strategy:Framework for Engagement at its annual conference in Hertfordshire yesterday (July 16).
The Sub-national Transport Body will now engage with a wide variety of people and organisations about how the transport system can help achieve transformational economic growth, while …
Sustainable Transport for Counties initiative launched to tackle transport issues in England’s Economic Heartland
An initiative to tackle the transport problems facing districts and counties outside the big cities was launched by the University for Hertfordshire's new Smart Mobility Research Unit at the England's Economic Heartland conference on July 16.
The researchers will hold a series of roundtables with transport and planning policymakers, focusing on the transport issues facing counties outside of large metropolitan areas that have high car ownership and poor public transport …
NAOMI GREEN BLOG: Diversity is key to transport planning
It is more than a century since the creation of International Women's Day, promoting gender equality, a greater awareness of discrimination and a celebration of women's achievements.
For me, having a job that I find challenging, energising and rewarding is a personal celebration of the achievements of generations of women before me and of my peers now. Collectively, they have worked tirelessly, even if they were not consciously doing so, …
ANTONY SWIFT BLOG: In data we trust...
The great statistician William Deming once proclaimed, 'in God we trust, all others must bring data' – and it's a mantra which England's Economic Heartland swears by.
EEH's partners have a legacy in paving the way in research, innovation and data. The Heartland's world class universities and knowledge clusters' track record in this field spans centuries, so it's no surprise this thinking is a core part of our DNA.
In …
Response to Central Section route options announcement
The East West Railway Company has today announced five route options to link Bedford with Cambridge (https://eastwestrail.co.uk/haveyoursay).
Mayor Dave Hodgson, Chair of England's Economic Heartland's Strategic Transport Forum: "East West Rail is a fundamental part of the infrastructure required to enable economic growth in the Heartland, by transforming the travel choices available for individuals and businesses while achieving net gain for our environment.
"I welcome this announcement as …
