Speaking at the event organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Chartered Insitution of Highways and Transport (CIHT), Mr Baker confirmed that the go-ahead had been given to Phase Two (Lines two and three) of Nottingham’s Tram extension.
The Minister praised light rail as ‘energy efficient, cheap, flexible and popular’. He also praised Nottingham City Council and the Nottingham Tram Consortium for the efficiency of the project in the face of a 25% reduction in Government funding.
He explained the Government’s commitment to devolving power to Local Authorities to produce transport solutions that are cost-effective, energy efficient and benefit local residents by reducing 26 funding streams to four and urged Local Authorities to develop more ‘smart cards’ to encourage their residents to use public transport.
He also said £10 million has been made available for Local Authorities to develop Community Transport schemes.
He confirmed the Government’s commitment to heavy rail, outlining the benefits to the region of the proposed HS2 rail link between London and Scotland. He also said that in the long term, electrification of the Midland Main Line was ‘still an option’.
The conference also heard from key influencers from across the region, including Chris Carter, Transport Strategy Manager at Nottingham City Council, who reiterated the City’s commitment to the workplace parking levy to finance improvements to local transport, including the tram extension.
Nick Hodgson, Chief Executive of Derbyshire County Council, George Cowcher, Director and Chief Executive of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and Matthew Lugg, Director of Environment and Transport at Leicestershire County Council, looked at implementing the Government’s Localism agenda and the closure of the regional development agency, emda, and the Government Office East Midlands.
They outlined plans for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and sub-regional groups to take on some of this work at a more local level.
John Parry, Chair of ICE East Midlands Transport Professional Interest Network, who chaired the conference commented: "This conference has allowed us to seek clarification, to learn and appreciate first hand how practising engineers can take up the challenges of delivering transportation against reduced funding.
"We welcome Norman Baker MP’s remarks that creating growth and cutting carbon at the top of the transport agenda and that rail travel is "back on the map" and that the extensions to Nottingham’s tram system have been approved.
"With regard to the Localism agenda, the East Midlands in part is taking on the challenge and opportunity to create strong and well represented working groups. Concern remains in terms of strategic considerations and successful outcomes will depend on the estabilshment of good regional working relationships.
"The enthusiasm towards establishing LEPs and sub-regional groups does demonstrate a willingness to consider refinements that have a chance of working and are clearly welcome."