Train passengers make only 3% of trips from Coventry to Leicester, compared to 30% between Coventry and Birmingham.

This is likely a result of passengers needing to change at Nuneaton in order to get to Leicester. This results in a much slower journey.

Midlands Connect is now considering re-linking Coventry, Leicester, and Nottingham, which would provide 4 million extra seats and make journeys more convenient.

Currently, the trains running between Coventry and Leicester only run at 30mph compared to those of others, which run at 100mph.

The plans would see rail services begin between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham for the first time in 20 years.

Train journeys would be reduced from 56 minutes down to 32 minutes (Coventry to Leicester) and 117 minutes down to 65 minutes (Coventry to Nottingham).

Additionally, more freight trains can run instead of being transferred via road travel.

Doubling services between Coventry and Nuneaton would see 1.5 million extra seats, and a direct Coventry to Leicester service would create an extra 3 million.

The Midlands Connect’s Strategic Outline Business Case has been submitted after lengthy discussions and is awaiting approval.

“Passengers travelling between Coventry and Leicester by train currently have to change at Nuneaton, resulting in a slow and inconvenient journey. Delivering over four million extra seats and a direct service is something that will fill in one the last pieces of the rail puzzle in the Midlands.

“The lack of direct rail services between Coventry and Leicester/Nottingham is a major gap in our region’s transport network.”

Andrew Clark, Head of Rail at Midlands Connect