New Midlands Rail Hub call: Over 300,000 face social exclusion due to transport

New research released today shows that 325,437 people within the Midlands Rail Hub catchment area are at risk of social exclusion. This has prompted calls for delivery of the project to act as a ‘catalyst for economic growth’.

There are eight districts with a ‘high’ or ‘highest’ risk areas. These are Derby, Tamworth, Birmingham, North Warwickshire, Hinckley and Bosworth, Leicester and Forest of Dean. The new report called, The Midlands Rail Hub: The ticket to drive social mobility starkly outlines the challenges some communities face.

Transport Related Social Exclusion (TRSE) means being unable to access opportunities, key services, and community life as much as needed, and facing major obstacles in everyday life through the wider impacts of having to travel.

The Cinderford West area in the Forest of Dean, is in the top 1 percentile of TRSE risk in the whole of England. Increasing rail service frequency in low social opportunity areas improves access to jobs, education, and essential services. All helping to reduce the social exclusion faced by these communities.

In Birmingham, 118,211 (10.4%) residents live in neighbourhoods with a nationally high risk of TRSE. In Tamworth, 27,537 (35.9%) residents live in neighbourhoods with a nationally high risk of TRSE, 17.9% higher than the UK average. In North Warwickshire, 20,476 (31.4%) residents live in neighbourhoods with a nationally high risk of TRSE, 13.4% higher than the UK average. In Leicester, 43,676 (12.3%) residents live in neighbourhoods with a nationally high risk of TRSE.

The Midlands Rail Hub will generate more than £1.50 in benefits for every pound invested. It will also create 13,000 jobs as part of the supply chain, with the potential for over 20,000 new homes built per year, including 10,000 homes at Worcestershire Parkway, a housing scheme mentioned by the Chancellor, and an additional 300 apprentice opportunities. It will also create 20 million extra seats for passengers and 300 extra trains into or out of Birmingham every day.

Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said:

“Midlands Rail Hub is an essential railway upgrade which provides regional and national benefits. It better connects Britain by improving passenger journeys between towns and cities in the East and West Midlands, the South West, Wales and Scotland.

“A catalyst for economic growth, it will create and improve access to jobs, will develop young people through tailored apprenticeship schemes, support much-needed house building and make train travel a greener first choice for millions of people.”

Midlands Connect Data Analyst, Ridwan Nuhu who created the report, said:

“Transport serves as a lifeline for everyone, one that connects people to economic opportunity, health and recreation, family and friends, and other important parts of everyday life.

"Midlands Rail Hub will boost their mobility, improve their quality of life and help people reach their full potential.

“This report explores transport related social exclusion - put simply this is being unable to access opportunities, key services, and community life as much as you want to or need to. It means facing major obstacles in life, being unable to access key destinations like schools, hospitals or work. It really is that stark.”

The Midlands Rail Hub project is co-sponsored by Midlands Connect, the Department for Transport and West Midlands Rail Executive.