Connecting Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham by rail
Published: Thursday 05 May 2021
Date and time: 3pm-4pm, Thursday 27th May
Location: Zoom - sign up here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/connecting-coventry-leicester-and-nottingham-by-rail-tickets-152076413647
Despite having a combined population of over one million residents, the three major cities of Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham, are not directly connected by rail. This deficiency means that at present, fewer than 3% of journeys along this busy corridor are made by rail. This event will outline a new business case to reinstate direct services between these economic centres, the impacts of doing so, and the steps needed to bring these plans into fruition. Rail must play an integral role in accelerating our journey to a sustainable future; research suggests that even if all new cars are ULEVs by 2035, a 58% reduction in car mileage is needed for car CO2 emissions to be in line with the Paris Agreement.
3:00 – 3:15pm: Opening address
Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Minister of State for Transport
3:15 – 3:25pm: The case for connecting Coventry – Leicester and Nottingham by rail
Head of Rail, Midlands Connect
3:25- 3:35pm: Our plans for delivery
Gary Walsh, Route Director for East Midlands, Network Rail
3:35-3:40pm: A view from Leicester
Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester City Mayor
3:40-3:45pm: A view from Coventry
Cllr George Duggins, leader of Coventry City Council
3:45-4:00pm: Q&A session with speakers (Chaired by Midlands Connect)