The East Midlands is set to benefit from the largest transport investment in a generation, as Mayor Claire Ward has secured up to £2 billion through the Government’s new ‘Transport for City Regions Fund’. This significant funding agreement, spanning five years and following extensive negotiations with the Government, is poised to act as a launchpad for a major renewal in the region’s fortunes.
The substantial investment will be used to deliver a modern, reliable, and integrated transport system across the East Midlands, with a particular focus on alleviating congestion and improving connectivity between areas currently suffering from limited or no transport provision. As transport and infrastructure are critical enablers of economic growth, this programme has the potential to unlock 100,000 new jobs, deliver 52,000 homes, and generate a £4.6 billion boost to the UK economy. Crucially, it will connect more people to jobs, skills, education, and places that matter most, building on the Mayor’s vision for a transport system that meets current needs while laying foundations for a more connected and prosperous East Midlands.
This funding demonstrates how the Mayor and the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) are working in partnership with Government and local stakeholders to secure unprecedented investment and build new opportunities.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, commented: “This is the largest transport investment our region has seen in a generation. As Mayor of the East Midlands, one of my most important responsibilities is to ensure that Government sees this region through the eyes of those who live, work, and travel here, and to make sure we are treated as a national priority. Today’s announcement is the clearest sign yet that this approach is working. This is the moment we begin to put right decades of underinvestment. From everyday frustrations to major barriers to growth, poor transport has held our region back for too long. Whether you’re a student weighing up college options, a small business struggling to recruit, or a visitor-facing venue trying to grow footfall, I know what happens when transport doesn’t work. Fixing it will be central to my Transport Plan, and now we have the resources to deliver real, tangible change.”
Key pan-regional projects to be advanced with this funding include:
- The Trent Arc: This involves the development of a large-scale public transport system linking Derby and Nottingham, thereby strengthening the Trent Arc corridor – a pivotal growth zone for the region. The Trent Arc is identified as one of the East Midlands’ most immediate and investable opportunities, spanning two cities, the Freeport, and strategic sites like Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar. It is projected to deliver 40,000 new jobs, 30,000 homes, and contribute £2.4 billion to the UK economy. This funding will support improved rail, road, and bus connections throughout the corridor, including enhanced access to the East Midlands Freeport and the East Midlands Intermodal Park, home to major employers like Toyota.
- Chesterfield-Staveley Regeneration Route (CSRR): This project will open the Canal Corridor, enabling significant regeneration in North Derbyshire and beyond. The scheme is expected to create 8,000 jobs, 4,000 homes, and add £500 million by unlocking growth across the East Midlands and connecting into South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
- A614/A6097 Improvements (North Nottinghamshire): These crucial road upgrades will connect ex-coalfield towns and villages to national logistics networks, reduce congestion, and drive economic renewal in some of the region’s most deprived areas, while supporting one of its most important industries: freight and logistics.
Mayor Claire Ward added: “We’re getting to work straight away. That means strengthening the rail, road and bus links between Derby and Nottingham, the vital Trent Arc. It means delivering long-overdue projects like the Chesterfield-Staveley Relief Route and finally addressing congestion pinch points like the A614/A6097 in north Nottinghamshire. I look forward to working with partners across the East Midlands to deliver these improvements. Better transport doesn’t just move people. It powers opportunity, unlocks growth, and connects us to a better future.”
