Rail based schemes feature heavily in a £2.7bn three phase plan to boost connectivity to East Midlands HS2 station at Toton.
Phase one of the scheme, which could be implemented and operational within the next ten years includes plans for:
- An extension of the Nottingham Express Transit system from Long Eaton to Toton Lane via two new stops at the planned Innovation Campus Development and HS2 East Midlands Hub
- New rail services between Mansfield, Derby and Leicester, with stops at Ilkeston, Langley Mill, Kirkby in Ashfield, Sutton Parkway and the HS2 East Midlands Hub, made possible by reopening the Maid Marian line to passenger services.
Phase two of the scheme, which could be up and running within 20 years, includes:
- A new railway station at East Midlands Airport and connections from the East Midlands Hub to Derby by tram or Bus Rapid Transit.
The final raft of improvements in Phase three, which would be completed within 25 years, include:
- New rail links to the South Derby Growth Zone and Rolls Royce site restoring the railway line through Chellaston, as well as a tram-train serving Long Eaton, a planned housing development to the west of East Midlands Airport, Ratcliffe-on-Soar-Power Station and the East Midlands Gateway logistics site.