Swindon Borough Council has agreed to join forces with a number of other local authorities to create a strategic corridor that will improve transport links with the South Midlands and East of England.
The Council’s Cabinet on 14th March agreed to authorise the Leader of the Council to accept a formal invitation to join the England’s Economic Heartland (EEH) group, which aims to significantly improve transport and digital connectivity across the region.
EEH’s work with the National Infrastructure Commission, Highways England, and Network Rail has already secured investment for the East-West Rail and the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway schemes.
By joining the group, the Council will be able to raise Swindon’s transport issues and opportunities with national stakeholders with the aim of making the case for securing additional funding that will benefit the borough.
The Council will also be able to make the case for the westward extension of the East-West Rail services towards Swindon and Bristol, influence the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway corridor route selection so that Swindon enjoys maximum benefits from the improved transport links, while also promoting the case for further investment in the A420 corridor.
England’s Economic Heartland is a voluntary partnership of councils and local enterprise partnerships which represents the key growth corridor from Oxfordshire through Milton Keynes and across to Cambridgeshire.
EEH allows partners to work together with one voice when formulating and executing the infrastructure strategy for the entire region.
Leader of Swindon Borough Council, Cllr David Renard, said: “We are very fortunate in Swindon to already benefit from excellent connectivity. It is what sets us apart from many other places and is one of the key reasons why we are successful as a town.
“We are committed to finding ways to continue improving our links with other successful areas of the UK, which is why joining England’s Economic Heartland is so important. It will allow us to make Swindon’s case for additional infrastructure investment and ensure that we benefit from the economic opportunities that are likely to occur along the Oxfordshire to Cambridgeshire growth corridor.
“We want to ensure that investment is steered along the A420, while also ensuring we improve the direct rail links between Swindon and Oxford as well as setting up the western connection to Heathrow.”
Cllr Martin Tett, chairman of England’s Economic Heartland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Swindon to England’s Economic Heartland.
“By joining forces and speaking with one voice, we are providing leadership on the transport, digital and other key infrastructure required to unlock transformational levels of economic growth, establishing the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge corridor as the UK’s Silicon Valley.”
