Invest East Coast Rail calls on the government to invest now and future proof the East Coast Main Line

Invest East Coast Rail, in which the Combined Authority is a partner, has set out new research on the economic benefits of future proofing the line

19 November 2020

Invest East Coast Rail is calling on the UK and Scottish governments to invest in the East Coast Main Line, after research conducted on their behalf found that economies served by the line could see over £11 billion of wider economic benefits as part of a coherent package of rail schemes, including the full delivery of HS2.  

Over 500 miles long, the line is a key strategic rail route linking London with key cities and towns in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East of England, and the East and North of Scotland. The line also provides important links to international gateways and ports. However, constraints on the line can lead to significant disruption and in 2018, 12 major incidents occurred costing the UK economy £46 million.  

Localised and smaller incidents can also cause significant disruption across the rail network but if the number of delays on the line over 10 minutes were halved, this would deliver an additional £62.8 million per annum to the wider economy. 

Investing in the line now to improve its performance will not only deliver economic benefits across the country but also ensure the line is ready for the arrival of new infrastructure projects including HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, Midlands Engine, and East West Rail.  

Members of Invest East Coast Rail are calling on the government to commit to funding to future proof the East Coast Main Line and to develop a clear long-term investment plan for the line to ensure the route is ready to benefit from these future rail projects. 

Cllr Keith Aspden, Chair of Invest East Coast Rail and Leader of City of York Council, said: 

“The East Coast Main Line is one of the UK’s strategic rail routes, but it has suffered from underinvestment and as a result is now struggling with demand.  

“Without long-term funding to help tackle issues of capacity and resilience, the line will remain increasingly vulnerable to major disruptions which is why we are calling on the UK and Scottish governments to invest in the line now to ensure it is ready for new rail infrastructure projects, including HS2. 

“This is all the more crucial considering the key role the line will play as an enabler to economic growth and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”  

 

Cllr Kim Groves, a Vice Chair of Invest East Coast Rail and Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:

“The importance of the East Coast Main Line to communities across the UK cannot be underestimated, which is why we are calling on the government to future proof and invest in the line.

“The investment we are calling for will provide over £600 million worth of economic benefits across the country over the next 10 years and is essential to creating the modern, reliable transport network that our communities need.

“Alongside significant economic benefits, this investment will ensure that local communities can benefit from the arrival of new rail infrastructure projects, including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, ahead of their completion.”

Invest East Coast Rail is backed by a cross-party group of local councils, combined authorities and Scottish Regional Transport Partnerships from across the area served by the East Coast Main Line. The group is formally known as the Consortium of East Coast Mainline Authorities (ECMA). 

A copy of the research can be found at www.investineastcoast.co.uk