Revealed: £2.7 billion transport plan will link Derbyshire to HS2

Under the proposals, more than 20 villages, towns and cities across the East Midlands including Derby, Matlock and Long Eaton will have direct access to the HS2 station at Toton via ‘new and improved’ rail, bus and tram networks as well as enhanced road infrastructure.

Journey time from Matlock to the HS2 hub is estimated at 62 minutes via new rail links, with one service from the town per hour.

Passengers from Long Eaton will be arrive at the HS2 hub in just two minutes via tram, following an extension of the Nottingham Express Transit system.

The vision is split into three phases, with the first earmarked for completion by 2030, to stimulate development before HS2 trains first arrive in the region.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure Council, Simon Spencer, said: “The county council is an active partner in the HS2 East Midlands Growth Strategy.

“Within this, the ability of local people to access the Toton Hub is essential, to be able to take advantage of HS2 services but also the interchange between tram, local rail and bus services.

“We therefore welcome this work, which takes us an important step towards establishing these local connections.”

Improvements are ‘fully integrated’ with the work of the East Midlands Development Corporation, which says it has secured government backing to deliver 84,000 jobs and 4,500 homes at key growth sites close to the HS2 station.

Phase One of the scheme, which could be implemented and operational within the next ten years, will see an extension of the Nottingham Express Transit system from Long Eaton to Toton Lane via two new stops at the planned Innovation Campus Development and HS2 East Midlands Hub.

New rail services from Mansfield, Derby and Leicester will travel to the Hub, with stops at Ilkeston and Langley Mill, as well as a bus service from Amber Valley.

Phase Two, which could be up and running within 20 years, includes the build of a new railway station at East Midlands Airport.

A site west of East Midlands Airport has been earmarked for a housing development as part of the final raft of improvements, operational within 25 years.

But an initial £4.5 million is required from government to develop proposals, which have been published by a group of councils, transport bodies and East Midlands Airport, further.

Sir John Peace, chairman of Midlands Connect and Midlands Engine said: “The arrival of High Speed Two is a watershed moment for our region, and an opportunity that we must grasp with both hands.

“As we work towards an economic renewal post-COVID-19, the East Midlands must step forward and work together to secure the transport network, economic future and social mobility it deserves.

“This truly integrated transport strategy isn’t just about connecting more people to the HS2 station; it will also support the building of new homes, accelerate transformational regeneration and link some of our most deprived communities to nationally-important assets.

“It means spreading the benefits of high speed rail to businesses and workers across the region, from our great cities to bustling towns like Mansfield and smaller communities that may otherwise feel HS2 won’t benefit them.

“Our message to Westminster is clear; support us in making this vision a reality.”

It is estimated that the whole project will cost in the region of £2.7billion over 25 years, split into three phases.

The East Midlands currently has the lowest transport spend per head of anywhere in the UK (£245), 49 per cent below UK average (£483) and less than a quarter of that allocated in London (£1019). If the East Midlands was funded in line with the UK average, it would receive £1billion extra to spend on transport each year.

Midlands Connect claim under this plan, the region will begin to see the creation of high-value jobs and housing, improved transport connectivity and social mobility for some of the region’s most deprived communities.

A Business Case for the Access to the HS2 East Midlands Hub project was funded by local partners and submitted to the Department for Transport in Spring 2020.

Midlands Connect is now asking that the Government provides the £4.5million in funding for Phase One of this scheme to be brought forward to the next stage of development, including the production of more detailed project designs.

An outline business case for Phase One is due to be completed by the end of 2021.