Nottingham City Council, East Midlands Trains and representatives from Invest in Nottingham Club joined forces at a special train naming ceremony today to officially launch the city’s Invest in Nottingham Day.
The naming of East Midlands Trains’ Meridian 222022 as ‘Invest in Nottingham’ marks a successful partnership between the rail industry and the City which has helped to drive the multi-million pound Hub station improvement scheme.
It also signifies the investment made by East Midlands Trains to improve rail links to and from Nottingham.
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains, said:
“We recognise the significance that good transport links play in economic regeneration and attracting new business to the city.
“Since the start of our franchise, we have put a huge focus on improving our train services and stations and are currently investing over £40 million in improvements.
“We’re therefore excited to be playing our part in today’s Invest in Nottingham Day and hope that the naming of one of our newly refurbished Meridian trains will be a constant reminder of the transport improvements already made in Nottingham, and those still to come.
“This is an exciting time for transport in Nottingham and we are particularly grateful for the important contribution and commitment being made by Nottingham City Council through the Hub station redevelopment partnership.”
Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council, said:
“Over recent years, the city and county councils have developed a very positive and productive relationship with East Midlands Trains – great access to Nottingham from London and other major centres is crucial to our continued growth.
“Naming this train Invest in Nottingham will significantly raise the profile of the city in the capital and further outline our ambition to attract new business and Inward Investment to the city.”
At a special ceremony today, Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council, Paul Southby, Chair of Invest in Nottingham Club and David Bishop, Corporate Director of Development for Nottingham City Council joined Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains as well as guests of the Invest in Nottingham Day who had used East Midlands Trains services to travel from London to Nottingham.
222022 is the second refurbished Meridian to be named and the ‘Invest in Nottingham’ nameplate will be seen by thousands of people as the train travels on the main line route to London.
