The Government announced Growth Fund will be a boost for Reading as it backs my vision for transport. I have long argued and lobbied for better transport links to Reading and today the Government announced it will fund significant transport projects through Thames Valley LEP. These projects include; · A new rail link to Heathrow east of Slough to be completed by 2021 · Assistance from the Department for Transport to support discussion on the Third Thames Crossing project · A Network Rail feasibility study into semi-fast services between Reading and London on the Great Western Main Line for Crossrail · Potential funding for southern rail access to Heathrow · Working to bring the M4 SMART motorway project to fruition by 2020. These programmes come in addition to £97 million of funding for other schemes across the Berkshire region such as the Warfield Link Road in Bracknell and Park and Ride in Reading East. The Local Enterprise Partnership works with business, unitary authorities, Members of Parliament, educators and the community sector to drive the local economy to even higher levels of growth. This is a big boost to a better connected Reading. If Reading is to retain its status as an engine room of growth it needs excellent links to London, Heathrow and the surrounding areas. It is hugely welcome that the LEP and Department for Transport are willing to work to deliver a Third Thames Bridge, as it is desperately needed in Reading. Likewise linking Reading and the surrounding area more closely with Heathrow and London will make us more attractive to businesses and will be a further spur to growth. This Government’s long term economic plan is based around showing that Britain is open for business. By delivering infrastructure commitments like these we are sending a strong message to the business community at home and abroad, that Reading is a great place to do business and a great place to headquarter your firm. I believe this is a good deal for Reading. Of course physical infrastructure is just one part of the puzzle but this announcement comes hot on the heels of news of the rollout of 4G mobile phone service and of superfast broadband in the area for the first time. As a consequence of this Reading will be better connected by road, rail and online.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 09:33:52 +0000
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