Marches businesses invited to contribute to future transport policy

Manufacturing and logistics businesses throughout the Marches are being invited to contribute their opinions on the region’s transport networks at a focus group that forms part of a major study being carried out by Midlands Connect.

Midlands Connect is an ambitious research-based initiative that will enable the region’s Local Enterprise Partnerships to make a much more powerful business case to Government for investment in local transport networks that will help bold growth plans to be realised.

The focus group session is one of a series taking place that compliments an online survey-based piece of research that concludes on July 10.

Speaking ahead of the focus group that takes place in Telford on July 16, Gill Hamer, Director of the Marches LEP, said: “It is vital that the local and regional transport network supports the businesses that operate here and in order to make the most impactful case to Government, we need an accurate picture of how local businesses connect with their markets, supply chains and business networks and the barriers that they face.

“This event will enable us to gain that and whilst this particular focus group is aimed specifically at gathering input from manufacturing and logistics businesses, we’d welcome contributions from other interested parties too.”

Andrew Cleaves, Chair of the Midlands Connect Partnership Steering Group, added:

“As Government continues to face tough decisions on transport investment in the UK’s railways and roads, it is going to be crucial for the Midlands to speak with one voice on what Midland business needs from its transport network.”

The focus groups are being run by global planning and infrastructure consultants, Atkins, and the manufacturing and logistics focused session will take place at Telford’s International Centre on Thursday July 16 between 0830 and 1000.

Interested potential participants should register their interest by contacting Jacqui Casey on Jacqui.casey@marcheslep.org.uk