Maximising the economic possibilities of our Life Sciences sector is not only good for the UK economy, but it is crucial that it is also sustainable and inclusive in our local area as well as having direct benefits to other regions across the UK. East West Rail is central to achieving these positive outcomes.
As well as forging new connections with other fast-growing areas across the Cambridge to Oxford region, East West Rail will also connect world-leading life sciences, technology, and advanced manufacturing clusters in the Cambridge economy to other regions of the UK. In this way, this announcement marks a key milestone in the Government’s ambition – shared by Cambridge Ahead – to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology Superpower.
The East West Rail announcement was part of a wider package of vital support for our vibrant life sciences sector, which also includes proposals to encourage the development of more space for R&D. These proposals have the potential to supercharge our life sciences industry, which will create many opportunities that we must connect our local communities to through concerted efforts across the private and public sector at a local level. Support and reform from Government in these terms, alongside the delivery of East West Rail, can further strengthen the position of Greater Cambridge and the wider region as a global hub of innovation and research, with local engagement and consultation as a vital component of delivery from this point forward.
Cambridge Ahead remains fully committed to East West Rail being delivered through electrification, or other green technologies, to ensure that this new major infrastructure contributes to our national net zero transition.
Commenting on the recent announcement Jane Paterson-Todd, CEO at Cambridge Ahead said: “The East West Rail announcement from Government, as part of a wider set of measures to support Life Science in the UK, reaffirms the vital importance of investment in transport infrastructure, not only for Cambridge but for the entire region and the country as a whole.
“Cambridge’s economy has demonstrated its continued strength through the economic pressure and uncertainty of recent years, and the delivery of sustainable transport infrastructure like East West Rail is vital to managing our economic strengths well and spreading opportunities to more communities.”
Image: Jane Paterson-Todd, CEO, Cambridge Ahead
