COVENTRY City have backed plans in support of a potential rail link to connect Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham.
The club, along with Premier League side Nottingham Forest, have written a latter to the Transport Secretary and the Culture Secretary backing plans to connect the three Midlands cities.
The rail link, planned by Midlands Connect, would reinstate direct rail services between the three cities for the first time in two decades.
Coventry City’s chief operating officer, John Taylor said: “For Coventry City and other football clubs, transporting fans efficiently and sustainably is incredibly important.
“This project will help increase attendance and create an easier journey for people using the Coventry Building Society Arena for non-sporting events.
“Connecting the three major cities is massively beneficial for sports clubs like Coventry City and other local businesses.”
Head of rail at Midlands Connect, Andy Clark added: “Currently only three per cent of journeys on the Coventry-Leicester-Nottingham corridor are made by train, compared to 30 per cent between better connected cities such as Coventry and Birmingham.
“We plan to have a direct, half hourly service with a journey time of 40 minutes from Coventry to Leicester and 70 minutes from Coventry to Nottingham, which would improve the journey for thousands of sports fans and other customers travelling between the three cities.”
The letter, signed by both Coventry and Forest, says improved rail connections between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham would help to reduce emissions from match-going fans by offering supporters a reliable alternative to the car.
And the club’s also believe the link would increase home and away attendance in the major sports grounds and entertainment venues of the Midlands, providing a boost to the local economy.
