NEW ANALYSIS has shown 3,000 jobs could be created if the rail link is constructed between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham.
Midlands Connect analysed how jobs will be created during the lifetime of the construction and in the supply chain.
The majority of roles created include engineering, operatives and project management – as well as 70 apprentices trained over the course of the programme.
The seven-year project, linking Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham by rail could generate an additional £68million in economic value as a result of jobs created and nearly £11million in Social Value benefits.
Journey times would be cut significantly – with trips from Coventry to Leicester falling from 54 minutes to half an hour.
Loughborough and East Midlands Parkway could also have new, direct and more frequent links to Coventry.
Currently, just three per cent of trips between Coventry and Leicester are made by train; compared to 30 per cent of journeys made between Coventry and Birmingham.
Andrew Clark, integrated transport programme lead at Midlands Connect said: “This project is so much more than just a rail scheme, it will create high-skilled and high-paid jobs, grow our economy and kick-start careers, thanks to the creation of apprenticeship roles.
“At the moment it can take up to 70 minutes to travel less than 25 miles between Coventry and Leicester, and passengers have to change trains halfway – it’s simply not good enough – our plans will fix that and link key Midland cities, once and for all.”
Sir Peter Soulsby, city mayor of Leicester said: “This project is a priority for the Council. It will allow people to travel easily between Leicester and Coventry.
“Only 3 per cent use the train now as there is no direct service, leading to high car use, on congested roads.
“The creation of high-skilled, high-paid jobs, is a bonus, as is the creation of apprenticeship roles, kick-starting careers. This all helps to deliver a stronger economy as well as social value benefits to our local community.”
Leader of Coventry City Council, Coun George Duggins added: “At the moment the Midlands’ east-west rail connections are substandard, holding us back from a more productive and sustainable future.
“And now, thanks to this report, we know this is also holding back the creation of highly skilled jobs, opportunities for young people and of course the wider economy.
“Turning these plans into reality is an essential step so I hope we can see some progress and fast.”
