Andrew Mitchell MP has written to the Chancellor ahead of the autumn spending review to press the case for the Midlands Rail hub project.

The Government has committed to funding regional infrastructure projects as part of the levelling up agenda and Andrew is backing the Midlands rail hub bid for funding.

In the 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto the Government pledged to invest in the Midlands Rail Hub and demonstrated its confidence in the project by investing £20 million for its initial development in 2020.

The Midlands Rail Hub will support regional economic investment, improve transport links and crucially take 4,320 lorries' worth of goods from our roads and onto rail.

The Midlands Rail Hub partnership is requesting just over a £1 billion of funding to deliver the project. The plans are well developed, and the package can be delivered quickly, kickstarting the Midland’s economy as the region looks to recover from Covid 19. Analysis has shown that the long-term return on investment will outweigh the initial spending costs, with an estimated return of around £1.60 in benefits for every £1 spent on the project. It will also see over 1,600 skilled jobs created and supported within the region.

Commenting Andrew Mitchell MP said:

“I have written to the Chancellor to support the Midland’s Rail hub bid for funding ahead of the spending review.

“The plans will create space for up to 20 extra passenger trains an hour into Birmingham and will reduce journey times for my constituents in Sutton Coldfield.

“There are clear economic and environmental benefits and I hope that the Government will commit to investing in the project as part of our work to level up the economy and support infrastructure across the Midlands.

“Implementing these improvements will bring 1.6 million more people to within an hour of the region’s biggest towns and cities by public transport.”