Toton train station to arrive sooner than expected Posted on: January 14th, 2018 A new train station could be arriving in Toton sooner than expected, with plans put forward to have the station up and running prior to the HS2 completion in 2033. The station would form part of a new ‘Innovation Campus’ business park, which would include new infrastructure and office space to create up to 10,000 new jobs, in what could be a ‘game-changer’ for the region. We’ll have a real HS2 feel at our up and coming Birmingham Development Plans Conference, in which the Urban Growth Company, Midlands Connect, HS2 and Birmingham Airport will all be speaking. The station, known as the East Midlands Hub, would open to Network Rail services which would help support the new business park – ensuring the infrastructure and transport is in place to easily commute to the area in a huge boost to the regions economic growth. After the recent decision not to electrify the line between Kettering and Sheffield, which would have increased journey time, their is set to be a real focus on improving services on the Midland Main Line ahead of the new station and HS2 completion. Midlands Connect chairman Sir John Peace said: ”We have said for a long time that more investment in transport and infrastructure in the East Midlands can have a transformative impact on its economy and the quality of life of the millions of people who live here.I’m therefore pleased that the government is already in dialogue with the Midlands Connect team and East Midlands Councils to accelerate connectivity around the HS2 Hub station at Toton. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the region and I am looking forward to further meetings early in 2018 to keep up the momentum.” Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “HS2 will become the backbone of our national rail network – supporting growth and regeneration, bringing passengers faster journey times and delivering an estimated 74,000 jobs and adding nearly £4 billion to the East Midlands economy by 2043. I welcome the ambitious growth strategy put forward by the East Midlands leaders to maximise the benefits of HS2 through the development of an Innovation Campus, garden settlements and better connections at Toton. We have also invested £25m to help Midlands Connect develop a transformational transport strategy, and will work with them on their proposals. It is hoped that by working more closely with the Government on the East Midlands Hub and Midland Main Line that regional communities and businesses will receive more certainty about the future of transport and infrastructure developments, to rebalance investment across the country.” Maria Machancoses, Director at Midlands Connect, is set to speak at the conference and she’ll be able to give an update on their work at the Birmingham Development Plans Conference so join us there.
