Chair of England's Economic Heartland, Cllr Richard Wenham, said: “EEH welcomes the government’s commitment to prioritise and accelerate a number of transport infrastructure projects in the region, which will unlock new economic opportunities for our residents and businesses. This includes road schemes in Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire, alongside Cambridge South Station and East West Rail.
“EEH has consistently made the case that East West Rail – delivered in full to Bedford, Cambridge and Aylesbury – will transform our region’s economic potential. It is about sustainably unlocking greater employment and educational opportunities for the region’s workforce and making sure businesses that are here – or are planning to invest here – have access to commercial space and staff to help them grow their business. In doing so, it will boost UK economic growth, drive forward world-leading science and technology innovation and increase Britain’s global competitiveness. We are pleased that, through today’s announcements, the government appears to share these objectives for East West Rail.
“EEH will now work with government to understand the implications of today’s announcements. We will continue to make the case for other vital infrastructure projects in the region, for example, the work to provide greater rail capacity at Ely which is essential for the sustainable movement of goods across the country.”