AIRPORT RENEWS PLEDGE TO SUPPORT IMPROVED REGIONAL TRANSPORT
East Midlands Airport renews its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Midlands Connect Partnership, agreeing to continue to work together to improve transport connections across the Midlands region.
The MOU between Midlands Connect and East Midlands Airport includes making sure the airport features alongside improvements to rail and road connections between cities, such as a greater frequency of services to East Midlands Parkway. It also recognises the airport’s position as the UK’s largest dedicated air-freight airport and ensures the air cargo industry is represented in a significant way.
The documents, signed at Midlands Connect’s Strategic Board meeting in Leicester earlier this month, renews the commitment East Midlands Airport made when joining the Midlands Connect Partnership. Both organisations will continue to be represented at all levels of Midlands Connect’s Governance Structure.
Midlands Connect brings together 22 local authorities, nine Local Enterprise Partnerships, Chambers of Commerce and partners including airports, Highways England, Network Rail, HS2 Ltd and its sponsor, the Department for Transport. In 2017 Midlands Connect published its landmark 25 year strategy, making the case for targeted investment in regional transport improvements.
Andy Cliffe, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport, said:
“I’m very optimistic for the future of the wider Midlands region and more locally here in the East Midlands. With major developments like HS2 gathering momentum and important works to our motorway network well underway, the foundations for future growth and prosperity are becoming more tangible. But these benefits will only be felt if all organisations with a shared interest in improved transport connectivity work together and can unite behind the goals and outcomes that will make the difference to our region. I’m pleased to demonstrate our support for greater collaboration.”
The MOU has been renewed for the first time since Midlands Connect’s landmark 25 year transport strategy was published in March 2017, and will stay in place until Midlands Connect completes the process of becoming a Sub-National Transport Body, a statutory partner with central government that enshrines in law a greater influence over transport investment decisions.