Response to the Chancellor’s January announcement
Andrew Summers, Chief Executive of Transport East, responded to the recent announcement from the Chancellor:
“We welcome the Government’s ongoing commitment to East West Rail (EWR). However, to fully realise its transformational ambition, it is essential that onward connections to the East are considered as the section to Cambridge is designed and delivered – including links to Ipswich, Norwich, and Stansted.
“Our recent discussions with partners and business leaders from the East highlighted a strong appetite for enhanced growth along key rail corridors in the region, as well as a clear case for addressing the pinch points that currently constrain services.
“With this in mind, we also remain committed to making the case for the Ely and Haughley Rail Capacity upgrades, where increased passenger capacity and improved rail freight connections are crucial. These enhancements will support the transport of materials vital to infrastructure projects and business investment across the UK.
“We also note the commitment to securing private funding for the Lower Thames Crossing. This nationally significant project aims to reduce congestion on important corridors to facilitate national and regional growth, but more needs to be done to support local connections, mitigate the environmental impact and ensure new sustainable transport services are planned, which we can support through our evidence and tools.
“We look forward to working with Government and our partners to ensure that the investment committed by the Chancellor today delivers the widest possible impact across the East”.