Posted on Friday 14th February 2025
Alan White at the Midlands Connect conference
Staffordshire’s long-term transport priorities have been set out by the county council leader at a regional event which aims to strengthen the case for targeted funding from the Government as well as private sector investment.
Today, Alan White put forward Staffordshire County Council’s plans and aspirations as part of a panel discussion at the Midlands Connect annual conference in Nottingham.
Alan said:
Our main priorities would include seeing improved junctions on strategic routes like the M6 and M54, supporting the growth of clean energy infrastructure and facilitating growth along the A50/A500 corridor, helping to connect two freeports and benefiting the whole on the Midlands area.”
Midlands Connect researches, develops and progresses transport projects that will provide the biggest possible social, economic and environmental benefits for the Midlands region, and the rest of the UK.
Staffordshire is one of 22 strategic transport councils which make up the Midlands Connect partnership. It also includes eight chambers of commerce and two international airports, as well as national delivery bodies: Network Rail, National Highways and HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport (DfT). Midlands Connect has made the case for investment in key transport corridors such as the A50/A500, A5 and the A38.
Alan White added:
Transport infrastructure in Staffordshire is critical to our economic growth and to ensuring we maximise opportunities for our communities across the county – helping to support better health, employment and lifestyle choices.
Our key road and rail corridors span many counties, cities and metropolitan areas and so it’s vital that we work closely with our neighbours and partners to plan effectively and make a strong case for investment.
At the heart of the UK, Staffordshire includes crucial parts of the country’s transport network. The county council therefore needs to be central to discussions involving developments going forward, which is why events like this conference are important.
And as we are about to approve our joint transport statement with our colleagues at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, today’s panel discussion is timely.”
Alan was joined on the panel by Herefordshire Council leader Jonathan Lester and Rutland County Council leader Gale Waller. The discussion was chaired by Maria Machancoses, Midlands Connect’s chief executive.