WORCESTERSHIRE Local Enterprise Partnership has joined five other LEPs in the West Midlands to present a unified vision for transport investment across the region. A joint statement identifies steps such as investment in the road and rail network, improving links to HS2 and developing freight activity at Birmingham Airport. It has been prepared alongside the strategic economic plans submitted to the government last week by each of the LEPs.

Gary Woodman, executive director of Worcestershire LEP, said: "In consultation with business, accessing markets came out as a top priority, hence we have supported regional transport schemes such as the extension of Birmingham Airport and HS2. Our LEP priorities of the Worcestershire Parkway Station, Bromsgrove Station enhancement and local road improvements will reduce journey times and improve connectivity to Birmingham, London and Oxford."

Andrew Cleaves, chairman of the West Midlands Cross-LEP Transport Group, added: "Clearly, transport plays a key role in rebalancing the economy and can only be achieved by working in collaboration, building on our strengths and exploiting the opportunities presented to our region.

"We have the highest proportion of companies in England leading the nation's export-led economic recovery which is seen in the strength of our advanced manufacturing sector.

"The six LEPs are committed to improving regional and local links to HS2 in order to maximise the economic benefits across the West Midlands region, and to help release capacity on the already congested local transport networks.

"Access to developing markets is of great importance to our exporters, thus we see the development of regional airports as being critical to link us to these markets."

The six LEPs which have signed the statement are the Black Country, Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, the Marches, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and Worcestershire.