Opportunity in the East
The Government is reviewing all spending priorities. We believe there is a strong case for investment in the East and have submitted evidence on the projects we think should be progressed over the next few years. We have also asked for changes to how local authorities are funded to make it easier for them to deliver local transport improvements
With around 3.5 million people calling the East their home, working with local authorities in the Transport East region is vital to supporting residents, businesses, and the UK’s growth. Through this partnership, we have gained insights into the vast opportunities the region offers, as well as the barriers to unlocking its full potential.
The region plays a key role as an international gateway, facilitating trade and the movement of people. With 13 ports, 2 freeports, and 3 airports, it handles 50% of the UK’s containerised freight, while 10% of the nation’s air passengers travel through Stansted Airport.
The East is also renowned for its leadership in food production and security. With a £727 million agriculture economy and 15% of the UK’s farmland, the region is crucial in helping to feed the nation.
Additionally, the East is at the forefront of delivering clean energy. Offshore, over 1,000 wind turbines generate 60% of the nation’s offshore wind power, and Suffolk is home to the forthcoming Sizewell C nuclear power station, expected to supply 7% of the UK’s energy needs once operational.
These examples highlight the importance of the East and demonstrate why investing in its transport networks is essential. Poor connectivity limits opportunities for people and businesses, ultimately restricting growth. However, solutions to enhance connectivity have been identified by our partners and are outlined below.
Our asks to Government in the Comprehensive Spending Review 2025
We’ve submitted specific asks of government to support the ambitions of our region in the Comprehensive Spending Review period. Our asks enable us to support the government's missions and deliver benefits aligned with the DfT’s new direction of a people-focused integrated transport system. Importantly, our asks are focused on delivering results in this Parliament.
In this submission we set out asks to:
- Advocate for long-term government funding to support integrated, multi-modal local schemes.
- Secure funding for local authorities, National Highways, and Network Rail to enhance journeys, housing, and economic growth.
- Back our suggested pipeline of schemes for investment, which are ready to be delivered and provide support the Government's missions. These are to kickstart economic growth, make Britain a clean energy superpower, take back our streets, breakdown barriers to opportunity and build an NHS fit for the Future. The pipeline of schemes also support the priorities set in the region's government-endorsed transport strategy.
The submission provides an overview of opportunities in the Transport East region, including how we can support local authorities in delivering for communities and businesses, achieving regionally and nationally significant housing and economic growth, and implementing the infrastructure schemes needed to enable these outcomes.
Update: On 27 February 2025 the Thickthorn Junction for the A11/A47 received over £200m funding to deliver the scheme. Find out more here.
Submission for the East West Rail Eastern Section
As the Secretariat of the East West Rail Eastern Section Board, we have submitted evidence to support funding for extending the East West Rail scheme beyond Cambridge.
We have conducted feasibility studies to assess rail network opportunities and constraints, alongside initial economic analysis, and we believe we understand where investment is needed in the existing network to achieve the required levels of connectivity.
We are seeking funding and government support to address two main priorities, developing a growth strategy to help measure the significant economic and societal advantages that this project could unlock, and to advance the understanding of costs and broader benefits associated with the necessary infrastructure to achieve the goals of capacity and journey time improvements between major towns and cities.
The East's most deliverable schemes – unlock funding to realise their benefits
As our principle ask of Government in this Comprehensive Spending Review we are seeking funding to realise the outcomes and benefits associated with each of the below schemes. Our asks are the top priorities for the Transport East region and are not ranked in order of importance.
Ely area capacity
enhancement and
Haughley junction
Rail enhancements
between Colchester
and Clacton-on-Sea
Rail enhancements
between Ipswich and Cambridge/Peterborough
Rail enhancements
to support growth
at Stansted Airport
Major Road Network:
A12 East of Ipswich
Strategic Road Network:
Thickthorn Junction A11/A47
Strategic Road Network:
A12 Widening between J19 - J25
Major Road Network:
Norwich Western Link
Major Road Network:
Chelmsford Army & Navy Sustainable Transport Package
