PLANS to re-link Coventry with Leicester and Nottingham by train would deliver over four million extra seats a year and slash journey times, new figures suggest.
Midlands Connect says its plan to reconnect the rail links for the first time in 20 years would ‘fill in one the last pieces of the rail puzzle in the midlands’.
The transport body for the region says the restored links would reduce journey times from Coventry to Leicester from 56 minutes down to 32 minutes, and from Coventry to Nottingham from 117 minutes down to 65 minutes.
It says the planned doubling of the Coventry to Nuneaton service would create nearly 1.5million extra seats per year, while the direct link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham would see a boost of three million extra seats a year.
Midlands Connect’s Strategic Outline Business Case was submitted to the Department for Transport in Spring 2025 and, if successful, the next stage will be the submission of an Outline Business Case.
Andrew Clark, Head of Rail at Midlands Connect said: “Passengers travelling between Coventry and Leicester by train currently have to change at Nuneaton, resulting in a slow and inconvenient journey. Delivering over four million extra seats and a direct service is something that will fill in one the last pieces of the rail puzzle in the Midlands.
“The lack of direct rail services between Coventry and Leicester/Nottingham is a major gap in our region’s transport network.”
Coun George Duggins, Leader of Coventry City Council, said: “I have been a long-term supporter of this project because of its massive potential. A lack of a direct link means that train travel isn’t a convenient option for many people when it absolutely should be. And when the solution is a simple one.
“These changes will boost connectivity, cut train times, help lower road traffic between cities and encourage a more environmentally-friendly method of travel as well.
“The potential impact this would have on the region is huge and I believe the business case for it is very strong.”
Visit https://www.midlandsconnect.uk/publications to read the Midlands Connect Strategy.
