The draft version of England’s Economic Heartland’s strategy, published last summer, set out a need to achieve net zero carbon emissions no later than 2050. But in the final document which was released on Thursday the sub national transport body adds an ambition to reach this goal by 2040.

The document details key transport policies and a pipeline of infrastructure projects to deliver economic growth in the region while cleaning up emissions. Investment in East West Rail, further railway network upgrades and proposed mass transit systems in Cambridgeshire and Milton Keynes will help to transform public transport across the Heartland, it says.

In identifying future spending requirements, the strategy states that those which can contribute to a reduction in car journeys will be prioritised. It sets a target to cut the number of private car journeys in the region by a minimum of 5% per decade.

The strategy does not signal an end to spending on road infrastructure in the region however, with a series of targeted investments identified for both the strategic and major road networks.

Following the strategy’s publication, chair of the body’s strategic transport forum Dave Hodgson said: “Our focus must now be on turning words into actions. The strategy will require investment – from Government, from our partners and from the private sector – but as a region we offer investors a significant return on their initial outlay.

“Our region is already a net contributor to the Treasury,” he added. “The Heartland can lead the UK’s green economic recovery and help boost the UK’s position on the world stage.”

Further policies within the document include championing increased investment in active and shared travel to boost local connectivity sustainably, and promoting the use of digital infrastructure to improve mobility.

The strategy will continue to be revised every five years to reflect emerging priorities.

England’s Economic Heartland’s current work includes a programme of connectivity studies to identify transport system improvements in a number of corridors across the region, starting with Oxford to Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire-Northamptonshire-Peterborough.

(Photograph: Scott Ramsey Photography)