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Thames Valley Economic Partnership
TVEP Unlocking the economic potential of the Thames Valley |
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M4 Widening Could be Good for Business
A team of local business experts have concluded that widening the M4 could be the most effective way to improve transport and boost the economy in the Thames Valley. At a recent breakfast meeting, company representatives from the Reading area were asked to consider a 6 point plan of transport improvements drawn up by the Thames Valley Economic Partnership (TVEP).
The group of 30 attendees were asked to choose their preferred form of transport improvement from a shortlist of 4 proposals in the 6-point plan. The remaining 2 measures had already been selected as priorities (upgrading Reading station and establishing an AirTrack rail link by adding a new line from Staines to Heathrow).
It is estimated that by 2016 the M4 is likely to be the most congested road in the country. No surprise then, that widening the M4 took first place in the poll. The other options were:
• Rail access to Heathrow (involving electrification of the line)
• Improved North to South links with the M3
• Bus route linking major towns in the region
Reading West MP Martin Salter emphasised the importance of creating rail access to Heathrow from Reading and the West, pointing out that major companies in the area were currently spending over £8 million a year on taxis to and from Heathrow.
Another issue discussed was the possibility of a third Thames bridge – a plan that originally surfaced as long ago as 1928.
With regard to rail services, opening up access to Heathrow would involve electrification of the line as well as opening AirTrack access from Staines. Ideally, 6 tracks from Paddington to Bristol would alleviate the Reading congestion, although this would require huge investment.
Martin Salter described widening the motorway as ‘contentious’ but emphasised the practicality of the plan: “The fact is that the M4 corridor is there and there is the capacity to widen it.”
www.businessinberkshire.co.uk/tvep
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