Championing the East of England at UKREiiF 2026
Transport East made a strong showing at this year’s UKREiiF, where we supported regional partners to share the compelling case for investing in the East.
Our CEO Andrew Summers used the occasion to set out a clear vision for the region, centring on three interconnected priorities: the need for significant transport investment to unlock the East’s economic potential as a powerhouse for energy, food and supply; the importance of a long-term infrastructure pipeline to provide certainty for investors, supply chains and skills providers; and a more integrated approach to strategic development that brings sectors like freight and logistics into planning decisions alongside housing and economic growth.
Rail connectivity was also central to our discussion. Head of External Affairs Esme Yuill participated in a dedicated session on the role of rail in scaling the Life Sciences and Technology Corridors in the East. The discussion focused on how improved rail links could support the growth of innovation clusters between Cambridge and Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, unlock housing delivery, and better connect people to employment. The message from the panel was consistent: tackling bottlenecks in the network is the essential first step to enabling the region to realise its potential.
Upgrades at Ely Junction and Haughley were set being the key to any meaningful progress. Addressing these constraints would unlock half-hourly passenger services between the region’s major centres, including Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich and London Stansted Airport, while also enabling more freight to travel by rail — removing the equivalent of 12 miles of HGVs from the region’s roads every day and supporting trade through the East’s internationally significant ports.
A shared ambition for the region was clear, and the case for investment is strong. Improved rail connections would power growth at across our region’s economic assets while also supporting our ports and international trade. We’ll keep working with our partners across the region to make the strongest possible case. Watch this space for more updates, and get in touch if you missed us at UKREiiF.