East Midlands transport boss 90 to 100 percent confident initial tram extension phase will get green light

He was speaking today at the launch of the £2.7 billion project

One of the most senior political figures in the East Midlands - Sir John Peace - has said he is 90 to 100 percent confident that the first step of a bold £2.7 billion transport investment plan will get the go ahead.

The strategy, which involves three tram extensions, a new train station at East Midlands Airport, and the reopening of the Maid Marian Line, has been officially launched today.

During the launch of the campaign, lead author Sir John Peace said he thought there was a ‘nine or 10 chance out of 10’ that the Government would back the plans.

If delivered in full, it would see 11 separate schemes reach 40 towns and cities in the East Midlands, including with dramatically improved links to and from the yet-to-built HS2 station at Toton.

The idea is to start building up the infrastructure around Toton before HS2 even reaches the area, in order to capitalise on it better when it does arrive.

To achieve this, the plan aims to see the tram extended from Toton park and ride to the new station, then on to Long Eaton, and to have that extension operational by 2030.

But when asked about the dangers of seeing HS2 and the solution for all transport problems in the region, Sir John warned that while it was a crucial part, it was only a component.

Get the latest Nottingham crime news sent to your email

Want the latest Nottingham crime news sent direct to your email inbox? Then sign up to our newsletter here.

Every day we send out an email containing our biggest stories. We also send out breaking news emails if a major incident happens in the city or county.

It doesn't cost a penny and you can easily unsubscribe.

He also repeated calls for the East Midlands to get a fairer share of the pie when it comes to transport spending - currently investment per head is 49 percent lower than the UK average.

In an online launch for the new proposals, he was asked how confident he was on a scale of one to 10 that the schemes would receive the initial £4.5 million required to do further and more-detailed studies, given the current economic downturn.

He said: “We are facing probably the most severe economic crisis the country has faced for 100 years, and the question you have to ask is ‘do we want to go back to austerity or do we want to grow our way out of this situation?’

“My clear understanding coming from the Government is that they are confident that by investing in the future, economic growth will eventually return us to a much more prosperous economy than we’re currently facing.

“So on a scale out of 10 for the £4.5 million we’re asking for today, I would put that at nine or 10.

“The chronic under investment has been taking place for decades, and we’ve reached a place where we have to invest significantly just to catch up with the rest of the UK.

“So that is why the Government recognises that there is this huge gap right now.

Get our top stories sent to you every day

Want us to send you a daily round-up of our biggest stories, and breaking news alerts, direct to your email inbox?

Sign up to our newsletter here.

“If you want to level up the economy, you have got to invest in big things like infrastructure.”

When asked about the dangers of viewing HS2 as a panacea for all transport problems in the East Midlands, Sir John replied: “There is a danger that HS2 is misunderstood or got out of perspective.

“That’s why it’s unfortunate to have the name High Speed 2, because it’s not about speed it’s about capacity and connecting East and West.

“But I do think HS2b in particular (The phase of the project which will stop at Toton) of which Toton is an important part, is a crucial part and plays an important part, but it is a component in a much broader and much wider vision to effectively grow the East Midlands economy and drive economic growth and prosperity across the region.

“To do that, HS2b is an essential component, but it should be viewed as part of this wider issue.”

Councillor David Mellen is the leader of Nottingham City Council, and has also given his backing to the plan.

He was asked about what could be done to mitigate the short-term economic disruption seen in areas such as Beeston when the initial tram extensions were carried out.

“I think when there are major projects of this kind there is always some pain in the construction, and looking back over the tram works in the city, which now are very successful and well liked, there are always situations when there is disturbance when the tram is being built.

Perhaps in hindsight there could have been better planning for that, but it seems undoubtable that the benefits for places which have the tram are great, and extending the tram slightly from Toton is going to be a really important part of making the hub accessible.

“We really want people to be able to get to jobs, economies and opportunities without jumping in their car.

“This plan here today gives a much more comprehensive network to help people of Nottingham and the East Midlands get the benefits of what’s planned, and I think that’s very exciting.”