News

News and views from the England's Economic Heartland team. For media enquiries contact Adam King (aking@englandseconomicheartland.com)

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Recommendations to improve safety for women and girls on public and active transport have been made following a study by partners in the region.

September 25, 2026

The Greater Cambridge Partnership, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and EEH, with funding from the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, have been investigating how active travel routes, travel hubs, and bus journeys can be better designed and improved to enhance real and perceived safety. 

Improving rail in the Cambridge and the East of England

May 22, 2026

Rail’s ability to support transformational economic and housing growth in Cambridge and the East of England is being constrained by bottlenecks in the network - limiting the frequency of passenger services between neighbouring cities, towns and airports.

Reinstatement of the Oxford-Swindon-Bath-Bristol Rail Services

May 19, 2026

EEH welcomes the start of a regular two-hourly service between Oxford, Swindon and Bristol

EEH Chair Responds to the Publication of DfT 'Better Connected'

April 2, 2026

The Chair of England's Economic Heartland and the Chair of the Integration Taskforce have responded to the publication of the Department for Transport's 'Better Connected' Transport Strategy

Insight: Why region is Better Connected trailblazer

April 2, 2026

What makes our region uniquely well positioned to be a trailblazer to deliver the aspirations of today’s Better Connected strategy for integrated transport?

Insight: Innovation as a Tool for Integration

April 1, 2026

Showing off the work Milton Keynes and Bedford Boroughs are doing to champion integration through the use of innovation as a tool

National experts join EEH Integration Taskforce

March 16, 2026

England’s Economic Heartland has launched its Integration Taskforce, a panel of nationally renowned experts who will drive forward innovative approaches to transport integration in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.

Insight: EEH Publishes Demand Responsive Transport Note on Services within the region

March 12, 2026

Demand Responsive Transport continues to have a growing role in providing services where other modes are unavailable. 

Insight: My integration top ten stats

March 12, 2026

Part 2 of EEH's evidence based approach to the 'Joined-up Journey's' inquiry. From accessibility gaps to the rapid rise of micromobility, these stats show how better planning, smarter connections and strong digital tools can transform everyday journeys.

Insight: What the evidence says about integration

March 12, 2026

The Transport Committee’s recent inquiry on ‘joined-up’ journeys offered a treasure trove of evidence and viewpoints on integration. Here's what the evidence says

A regional trailblazer for integrated transport

February 27, 2026

Opportunities to create a truly integrated transport system in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor have been set out by EEH as the first phase of a major programme of work.

EEH hosts Regional Leaders Summit

February 26, 2026

"The summit demonstrated the significant common ground between local leaders and government."

Significant progress in electric vehicle transition

December 5, 2025

The EEH region is seeing significant progress in the transition to electric vehicles, with new analysis highlighting strong growth in EV registrations and expanding charging infrastructure.

Chair welcomes MP debate on OxCam

December 4, 2025

We must ensure that appropriate infrastructure is ready and open to communities and businesses moving into this region.

EEH Chair responds to East West Rail 'you said, we did' announcements

November 19, 2025

"This is one of the most detailed reports yet provided by East West Rail, and provides further confidence the route will soon see the light of day."

EEH holds Bus and Integration Symposium 2025 in Aylesbury

November 14, 2025

“EEH can become the model region where integration is not an aspiration, but standard practice.”

Plans for direct trains from Swindon to Birmingham welcomed

November 4, 2025

“Improving our connectivity is a key part of our efforts to grow our increasingly buoyant economy and a direct rail link to Birmingham with the potential for an extra 130 trains a week will be a big boost for our town."

Multi-billion pound value of region's buses highlighted in new report

November 1, 2025

Providing a powerful evidence base to guide future investment and policy

EEH welcomes Cowley commitment and Cambridge funding

October 24, 2025

"EEH will continue to support the ambitions of local, regional and national partners in maximising the benefits of investment and delivering an integrated transport system right across the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor."

Cllr Adam Zerny elected Chair of England's Economic Heartland

October 9, 2025

"I have strong ties right across this region and am looking forward to working closely with our authorities to get the best for what is becoming one of the most significant regions of the country."

Mobility Hubs white paper sets out routes to private investment

July 27, 2025

Developed in collaboration with KPMG and informed by a cross-sector workshop, the paper sets out practical steps to overcome barriers to delivery and scale up deployment of these vital transport nodes.

EEH response to DfT spending announcement

July 10, 2025

“While there is some positive news, this was a missed opportunity to provide our communities and businesses with confidence that economic growth will be supported by appropriate levels of infrastructure."

EEH response to Spending Review 2025

June 11, 2025

"With a genuine partnership between local leaders, government, academia and industry, alongside the trust and confidence which certainty over investment will unlock, this region can be a trailblazer for economic growth across the UK."

EEH publishes 2024-25 annual report

June 1, 2025

"A fundamental requirement – if these ambitions are to be realised – is improved transport infrastructure and services."

Maximising the benefits of East West Rail

March 15, 2025

Creating a fully integrated ‘corridor of corridors’, much more than the sum of their individual parts...

Plans for the 5G East West Rail line – in 55 seconds

March 13, 2025

You can learn a lot in 55 seconds...

EEH has ‘key role’ in maximising East West Rail

March 13, 2025

The Secretary of State for Transport has told EEH that it has a 'key role' to play in maximising the benefits of East West Rail.

Report highlights opportunities from smart junctions

March 13, 2025

Smart junction technology can optimise traffic flow, prioritise sustainable travel modes, and improve safety through enhanced detection capabilities.

Consultation response submitted as EEH supports DfT roadshow

March 12, 2025

Government’s development of the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) an exciting opportunity to put people at the centre of transport policy in way which is ambitious and innovative.

Quick win opportunity for Oxford-Swindon-Bristol rail services

March 12, 2025

An affordable, quick win opportunity has arisen which would finally see direct, full-time rail services resume between Oxford and Swindon, Bath and Bristol,connecting dynamic economies, universities and tourist destinations.

EEH developing new AI-powered regional model

March 12, 2025

England’s Economic Heartland (EEH) and City Science are developing a state-of-the-art strategic multimodal transport model using the power of artificial intelligence. Utilising Innovate UK funding...

How Aylesbury-Milton Keynes link is vital for 'Global Britain' rail corridor

March 12, 2025

The Aylesbury-Milton Keynes link is an integral part of the East West Rail scheme and was expected to be delivered alongside construction of the line between Oxford, Winslow and Milton Keynes, which opens later this year.

Investment workshop brings together councils and private sector

March 1, 2025

EEH is progressing work to help accelerate the deployment of mobility hubs – areas in which a variety of transport modes and community assets are co-located for seamless interchange.

Priorities for investment outlined in EEH submission to Government

February 13, 2025

A core theme of our submission is to build upon and maximise the value of existing investment in the region to unlock an integrated, better connected transport system for both people and goods.

Evidence to MPs on buses and ending rail ‘boom and bust’

February 13, 2025

England’s Economic Heartland has submitted responses to the Transport Select Committee’s inquiries on ‘Buses Connecting Communities’ and ‘Rail Investment Pipelines: Ending Boom and Bust’.

England's Economic Heartland to host accessibility masterclass

February 12, 2025

EEH will be hosting our first Centre of Excellence Guest Speaker masterclass of 2025 virtually on 26 February, 10:30-12:00

Chancellor announces plans for Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor

January 30, 2025

“The launch of the ‘Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor’ is an important moment for our region."

EEH responds to East West Rail consultation

January 29, 2025

EEH seeks to maximise the value of Government's investment in the scheme

New connectivity study and connecting economies documents published

January 28, 2025

Setting out priorities and advocacy for the Luton-Bedfordshire-Corby corridor

Work on buses will accelerate in 2025

December 20, 2024

EEH's will further expand its work on improving bus journeys in the region during 2025, following publication...

EEH reacts to launch of East West Rail statutory consultation

December 14, 2024

Cllr Liz Leffman, Chair of England's Economic Heartland said: “East West Rail will transform the way people can sustainably access jobs, skills, leisure and housing across the region.

A brilliant two days in Bedford

December 12, 2024

Delegates enjoyed a walking tour of Bedford, before presentations from partners including Oxfordshire, Bedford, Buckinghamshire and Luton, roundtables on the importance of integration, and an address by Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood.

Budget: EEH responds as Chancellor commits to East West Rail

October 30, 2024

"We welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to East West Rail, infrastructure which our region’s businesses and local and combined authorities tell us is fundamental to allowing them to positively plan for the long-term future."

EEH publishes rail main line priorities study

October 25, 2024

EEH, which commissioned Arup to provide technical expertise for the study, will collaborate with key organisations such as the rail industry and local and combined authorities to develop the packages, helping to achieve long-term positive outcomes across the rail network.

EEH Bus Symposium 2024

October 18, 2024

Throughout the day a common theme was the need for approaches which recognise the region's geography of relatively small cities, market towns and large rural population.

MPs clear on importance of Ely and Haughley Junctions

September 19, 2024

Improvements to Ely and Haughley rail junctions are key to unlocking economic growth across the country, supporting net zero, and providing better passenger services.