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In a speech in Oxfordshire yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined new plans to deliver the 'Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor' that will boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035, according to industry experts.

Her speech confirmed the appointment of Lord Patrick Vallance as Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion.

In response, Chair of England’s Economic Heartland, Cllr Liz Leffman, said: “The Chancellor rightly highlights the huge potential of our region to significantly contribute to UK economic growth. Through regional collaboration, including via EEH, local leaders are already working closely with businesses and universities to seize these opportunities.

"I welcome Lord Patrick Vallance to his new role and look forward to working with him. Moving forwards, it is important that lessons from the past are learnt. There must be genuine and trusted collaboration between Government, local leaders and the private sector which builds on the strengths of existing partnerships. It is important that the work already carried out by EEH and other local and regional partners informs future decisions: we must keep momentum, not go back to the drawing board.

“As the Chancellor stated, East West Rail will transform the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge region. The benefits from Government’s investment must be maximised for the economy, skills, communities, nature and wider connectivity. EEH is working to make sure there is a single, integrated transport system – ensuring as many people and businesses as possible can access East West Rail. By integrating an ‘East West Main Line’ into the wider transport system, the impact of investment will be felt beyond the core route: including in places such as Aylesbury, Northamptonshire, Luton, Swindon, Bristol, West Midlands, Hertfordshire, Ipswich and Norwich.

“Supporting our freight and logistics sector is the building block of economic growth. Upgrading Ely Junction in Cambridgeshire will transform the way goods are transported between Port of Felixstowe and the Midlands and North. Targeted improvements which ensure our strategic roads can continue to support economic growth are also vital. EEH has previously worked with Department for Transport and National Highways on a major study which identifies priority interventions, and it is imperative that these are progressed.

“The launch of the ‘Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor’ is an important moment for our region. By working in a spirit of genuine collaboration across the public and private sector we can collectively deliver the exciting opportunities outlined today by the Chancellor.”

Test trains on the first section of East West Rail between Oxford and Milton Keynes.

EEH and the East West Main Line Partnership have both submitted responses to the East West Rail consultation, which closed on Friday.

The response to the East West Railway Company from EEH seeks to maximise the value of Government's investment in the scheme and include:

Decarbonisation: Welcoming the proposal for operate East West Rail under electric traction, though more detail needs to be given on the preferred ‘discontinuous’ electrification option and what this can enable operationally.

Door-to-door connectivity: Ensuring the scheme is developed to maximise door-to-door connectivity and supporting the on-going legacy for East West Rail: Planning for excellent door-to-door connectivity should be an integrated part of the EWR scheme, given it will be critical to both the customer journey experience and success of the scheme.

Improved rail connectivity into East West Rail: Ensuring the scheme is developed to maximise the opportunities to deliver improved rail linkages across the region: This includes the Northampton-Old Oak Common corridor (and within this, the Aylesbury-Milton Keynes link); improved connectivity from Oxford to Swindon, Bristol and the West Midlands; and from Cambridge to Ipswich and Norwich.

Digital connectivity: Ensuring that high quality digital connectivity, alongside physical connectivity should be delivered from the outset for the remainder of core scheme, building on the success of the fibre and 5G project between Bicester and Bletchley.

The East West Main Line Partnership Board also detailed how the value of East West Rail can be maximised. It also highlighted the need for high quality engagement with local communities, and to ensure lessons learnt from the first phase of construction are applied to the next stages.

Read the full responses here

England's Economic Heartland's final connectivity study and its corresponding Connecting Economies brochure on the Luton-Bedfordshire-Corby corridor has been published.

Through our connectivity studies, EEH has developed an evidence base that shows the most effective connectivity solutions for key corridors across the region. The evidence captured is being used to shape investment proposals going forward, through EEH or in support of individual local authorities’ priorities.

The studies were guided by the policies set out in the EEH transport strategy, steered by our local authority partners and approved by our Strategic Transport Leadership Board. The package of interventions identified form a key part of our investment pipeline for the region.

Our Connecting Economies series of brochures are informed by the studies. They provide an accessible compendium of both evidence and asks to government, which England’s Economic Heartland, its local and combined authority partners, MPs, private sector and others can use to make the case for improved connectivity and infrastructure investment in our region.

Each contains expert insight from Cambridge Econometrics on the economic potential of seven corridors within the region, followed by a selection of transport interventions which our evidence base suggests would unlock economic growth along them.

Read more here

Advanced mapping has commenced in Milton Keynes city centre, marking a crucial step towards the trial of autonomous shuttles. The Street Connected and Autonomous Vehicles project led by Milton Keynes City Council and Smart City Consultancy aims to introduce fully accessible autonomous vehicles capable of carrying up to eight passengers around the city centre.

The mapping process involves vehicles being driven between Unity Place and Midsummer Place to collect essential data for the shuttle routes. Once completed, the shuttles will be available for free trials on city centre roads as early as February. If successful, this trial could serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country.

The shuttles, supplied by Ohmio, are designed to operate at low speeds (under 15mph) and will be connected to a new city centre control room for remote supervision. Initially, a fully trained safety operator will be on board to take control if necessary.

Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Economy, Sustainability, and Innovation said "We’re committed to exploring innovative transport solutions that benefit residents and visitors, while also creating food for thought for sustainable cities around the world. It’s really encouraging that we’ve managed to bring industry-leading partners together on this exciting project. I look forward to hearing about people’s experiences when they try the vehicles out.”

Read more here

Hear from EEH Managing Director Naomi Green about the importance of transformative benefits of the new 5G Mobile Private Network being built to enhance passenger connectivity on the East West Rail route between Bicester and Bletchley.

See below for opportunities in the region

Senior Officer (Filters/ANPR), Oxfordshire County Council, Closing: 31/01/25

Head of Parking and Traffic Management, Cambridgeshire County Council, Closing: 02/02/25

GCP Senior Project Manager, Cambridgeshire County Council, Closing: 09/02/25

Team Leader for Public Transport and Sustainable Travel, Bedford Borough Council, Closing: 12/02/25,

Senior Transport Development Officer, Oxfordshire County Council, Closing: 20/02/25

Newsletter produced by England's Economic Heartland sub-national transport body, based at Buckinghamshire Council, Walton Street, Aylesbury. Email businessunit@englandseconomicheartland.com for general enquiries.