The sub-region benefits not only from its central location, but also from an excellent transport infrastructure.  By road, the sub-region can easily be approached by using either the A1/A1(M) or the M1 motorway, which means that the majority of the nation’s population can be reached within 3 hours.  In addition, over 80% of the sub-region’s workforce enjoys an excellent travel to work time of less than 30 minutes.

Road

Located in the heart of England, the sub-region benefits from fantastic communication links by road with both the M1 motorway and the A1/A1(M) running through the centre of it.  Furthermore, the M18 can be accessed just to the north and the sub-region is criss-crossed by a variety of primary dual carriageways.  The table below outlines the sub-region’s superb road communication links, detailing the travel distance and travel times to a variety of UK destinations.

*The above travel times and distances have been obtained from AA Auto route and are supplied for information purposes only and as such we can not certify their accuracy.

Here are a few useful links so you can check out other road travel distances and times within the sub-region and other UK destinations. Simply click on the relevant icon.

Rail

Train links are also first class with the eastern part of the district offering high speed services, via the East Coast Mainline (East Coast Trains), to London, Newcastle and Scotland.  Chesterfield benefits from mainline train services and much of the remainder of the sub-region is serviced by the Robin Hood Line (East Midlands Trains), which links Worksop to Nottingham and, from there, onward to other mainline services.

These extensive travel connections link up to make travelling within the sub-region, and access to its surrounds, very good.

The table below outlines the sub-region’s superb rail communication links, detailing the approximate travel times in minutes to a variety of UK destinations.

Here are a few useful links so you can check out other rail travel times within the sub-region and other UK destinations. Simply click on the relevant icon.

Rail – Freight

Not only does the sub-region have good road and rail networks, it is also conveniently placed for international freight terminals and ports. There are two customs clearance facilities within easy reach of the area - Daventry International rail freight terminal to the south and Doncaster International rail port to the north.

English, Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS) is the country's largest rail freight haulier and, as well as providing more traditional services, they have introduced a service called 'Enterprise'. This service allows single wagon loads of products to be moved within the UK and through the channel tunnel into Europe. An Enterprise route runs through Doncaster and connects with an express Enterprise route through Warrington.

The Doncaster International rail port is located near junction 3 of the M18 and uses intermodal transport which allows long freight hauls by rail and shorter road journeys for speedy delivery times into Europe. Freight operators at the rail port offer a wide range of complimentary logistics services.

Air

For both pleasure and business, the sub-region offers a variety of domestic and international airport services including East Midlands and Robin Hood airports. East Midlands airport is one of the largest freight airports in the UK whilst Robin Hood airport benefits from the second longest runway in the North of the country. Slightly further afield, Leeds-Bradford, Birmingham and Manchester airports are also within easy reach. All of the airports listed below are within 70 miles travelling distance from the centre of the sub-region.

	East Midlands airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the UK.  With quick and easy access from junctions 23a and 24 of the M1 (southbound) and junction 24 (northbound).  The airport offers a wide range of scheduled and charter flights via a variety of operators.  Click on their icon for more information.
	Robin Hood airport is on the northern periphery of the sub-region on the main A614 south east of Doncaster.  It is easily accessible from the M62, M1, A1 and M18.  The airport caters for destinations in at least 20 different countries.  Click on their icon for more information.
	Leeds-Bradford International is signposted on all major roads over a wide area, including the M1 and M62 motorways, and the Yorkshire section of the A1.  The airport offers a good range of domestic, international and charter flights.  Click on their icon for more information.
	Situated at the centre of the national motorway network, Birmingham International airport is just 8 miles east of Birmingham city centre and 1 mile from junction 6 of the M42 motorway.  Birmingham International offers direct scheduled and charter flights to over 100 destinations across Europe alone.  Click on their icon for more information.
	Whatever direction you are travelling from, Manchester airport is directly accessible via junction 5 of the M56 motorway.  The airport offers an excellent choice of domestic, international and charter flights.  Click on their icon for more information.

Ports

The east coast ports of Goole, Grimsby, Hull and Immingham are only 90 minutes away and provide excellent links with continental Europe and beyond.

Associated British Ports

With 23 ports around the country, Associated British Ports (ABP) is able to meet the needs of anyone wanting to transport goods into, out of, or around the UK.  ABP runs all the east coast ports and more information can be found on their website.  The website also includes information on each of the ports below:

Goole   

Goole is Britain’s premier inland port.  The combination of a strategic location at the heart of the country’s transport infrastructure along with extensive and expanding modern high quality facilities, enables Goole to provide a rapid and cost effective service to its customers.

Goole sailings – Northern Britain, Europe

Grimsby

The port’s strategic location, only 10km from the open sea on the Humber estuary, makes it an ideal location for shipping services between the UK and Scandinavia, the Baltic, Germany and northern Europe.

Grimsby sailings – Northern Europe, Grimsby, Scandinavia, the Baltic

Hull

The port of Hull is one of the UK’s leading foreign trading ports and this position is maintained by a constant programme of capital investment in the development of new facilities and services.  The port’s position on the north bank of the River Humber also provides a major geographical advantage for transport links in to and out of the UK.  As a result, the port has very strong short-sea trade links with Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic, in addition to worldwide deep sea services.

Hull sailings – Holland, Poland, Latvia and the Baltic, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, Middle East, West Africa, South America, Asia, South Pacific

Immingham

Immingham is one of Britain’s fastest growing ports.  The combination of a strategic location on the south band of the Humber, the UK’s busiest commercial estuary, with extensive deep water facilities and high quality service, makes Immingham a market leader in the UK, and first choice for a wide range of customers and traffics.

Immingham sailings – Scandinavia, northern Europe, the Baltic, US Great Lakes, Far East, South Africa, Turkey.

Liverpool

Liverpool docks form part of the trade route to America.  The port of Liverpool is ranked among the top tem north European container ports and is currently the focus of major investment by Mersey Docks amounting to some £60 million.

Liverpool sailings – East Coast of North America, Iberian Peninsula, the Mediterranean, Ireland, Scandinavia, northern Europe