Latest News and Events

  • EEH Team looks ahead to 2024

    EEH Team

    The EEH team wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    From our work to improve bus journeys and support the rollout of electric vehicles, through to successfully leading the case for investment in Ely junction and maximising opportunities from East West Rail , 2023 has certainly been a busy one for EEH.

    With 2024 on the horizon we asked the EEH team to give us their …

    December 21st 2023
  • EEH and East West Main Line Partnership joint response to NAO report

    Joint statement from the Chair of England's Economic Heartland, Cllr Liz Leffman and the Chair of the East West Main Line Partnership, Cllr Steven Broadbent on the NAO report.

    Due to the nature of its remit, the NAO report has a focus on the role of government and its agencies. It doesn’t capture the way businesses, universities, communities and local authorities in the region have – and continue to - …

    December 13th 2023
  • EEH welcomes Autumn Statement emphasis on science and technology-led growth

    England's Economic Heartland Chair, Cllr Liz Leffman, reflected on the Autumn Statement delivered today in government.

    Cllr Leffman said: 'Today’s Autumn Statement places significant emphasis on science and technology-led economic growth, which our region has a pivotal role in delivering.

    Last month commitments were made by government around the delivery of Ely Junction and several major road network schemes across the region. Given their importance, it is crucial major infrastructure …

    November 22nd 2023
  • EEH supports world class 5G investment

    Businesses and residents near East West Rail are set to benefit from world class 5G technology following a successful funding bid to government which was supported by England’s Economic Heartland and the East West Main Line Partnership.

    A consortium led by Oxfordshire County Council, including Buckinghamshire, Central Bedfordshire, Peterborough and Cambridgeshire councils, won £3.8m from the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) to establish a ‘5G Innovation Region’.

    The …

    November 16th 2023
  • 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 …

    October 19th 2023
  • 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 …

    October 6th 2023
  • 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. …

    October 6th 2023
  • 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. …

    October 4th 2023
  • 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, …

    September 28th 2023
  • 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 …

    September 27th 2023