Midlands Connect has stated its scheme to re-link Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham by train would deliver more than 4 million extra seats a year for businesses, residents and commuters.
Currently, just 3% of trips between Coventry and Leicester are made by train; compared to 30% of journeys made between Coventry and Birmingham.
This is because passengers travelling between Coventry and Leicester by train have to change at Nuneaton, resulting in a slow and inconvenient journey.
Average speeds for trains between Coventry and Leicester currently fall under 30mph, compared to average speeds of over 100mph for trains from Coventry to London.
Midlands Connect stated that it would reinstate direct rail services between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham for the first time in two decades and slash journey times.
The scheme would deliver a 43% reduction for Coventry to Leicester (56 minutes down to 32 minutes) and 44% reduction for Coventry to Nottingham (117 minutes down to 65 minutes).
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As well as helping cut journey times for passengers, the scheme provides major benefits to the railfreight industry, allowing more freight to be transferred onto the railways, most of which currently has to go by road because there isn’t space for it on the railway.
The planned doubling of the Coventry to Nuneaton service stopping at Coventry Arena, Bedworth and Bermuda Park would create nearly 1.5 million extra seats per year. The other part of the scheme, the direct Coventry to Leicester and then onto Nottingham train, stopping at Hinckley and Loughborough would see a boost of 3 million extra seats a year.
Midlands Connect’s Strategic Outline Business Case was submitted to the Department for Transport in Spring 2025 and should this be successful, the next stage will be the submission of an Outline Business Case.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Clare Ward said: “Reinstating direct rail services between Coventry, Leicester, and Nottingham is a game-changer for our region.
“This vital link will not only help with journey times but also bring our communities closer together, boosting opportunities for residents, businesses, and commuters across the Midlands.
“For Nottingham, it means greater connectivity and easier access to jobs and services. We’re proud to be at the heart of this transformational project that will help build a connected Midlands for everyone.”
Achievements and innovations in transport planning will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
