PROPOSALS to have direct rail services between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham have been given ‘overwhelming’ support by local businesses employing over 32,000 people in the region.
Last month, a survey was launched by Midlands Connect, which is putting forward the proposals.
The research showed 93 per cent of local businesses believed their employees would benefit from the three cities being more closely connected.
Just 17 per cent of the workers employed by companies taking the survey mostly used the train to commute to work, but 66 per cent of businesses think if the line between the three cities was reconnected their employees would use it more.
More than four in five firms said the reconnected line would make it easier for them to recruit new staff, while 61 per cent believe it would help their business grow.
Plans to reinstate rail services between the three cities for the first time in two decades would introduce two new trains an hour that would also call at Loughborough and East Midlands Parkway.
Work would also be conducted to improve the line speed along the route to make journeys faster.
Passengers trying to get between the three cities currently have to get off at Nuneaton Station before changing platforms.
Due to this just three per cent of trips between Coventry and Leicester are made by rail compared to 30 per cent of trips between Coventry and Birmingham.
The results from the survey will be used as part of Midlands Connect’s strategic case for investment.
Midlands Connect’s senior rail programme manager Andy Clark said: “The results are overwhelming and show businesses in Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham want to see improved rail services.
“They see this investment as an example of leveling up their area and helping their economy to grow.
“What the survey also showed is faster and more frequent trains will save businesses money, allow them to recruit more people and grow.”
