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Thames Valley Economic Partnership
TVEP Unlocking the economic potential of the Thames Valley |
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TVEP takes transport campaign to House of Commons
Business and community leaders from the Thames Valley are met the region’s leading MPs and a government minister at Westminster, Wednesday 16th January, to seek their support for urgent improvements to the region’s transport system.
They discust the fact that the latest economic numbers show that the region is one of only two in the UK that is still growing – and that even this will be in jeopardy unless the government invests in new infrastructure.
Shaun Whittaker, chief executive of the Thames Valley Economic Partnership (TVEP) said, “It is vital for the UK that we maintain the success and prosperity that the community and business have built together in the Thames Valley over the last 25 years. The transport infrastructure is essential to support that aim, not just for the competitiveness of the Thames Valley but for other regions to the west and south west. Today, we are bringing together the major private and public sector stakeholders to speak with one voice on the strategic priorities for transport in the Thames Valley.”
Top of the priority list for the Thames Valley Economic Partnership (TVEP), which is leading the group of representatives from major employers and local authorities, is improved access by rail and road to Heathrow airport from the west.
The Thames Valley is home to the european and global headquarters of many of the world’s leading brands. While many of these companies have led the way in flexible working and technology solutions to reduce overall travel, they still rely on good connections to the rest of the world to develop and maintain business success. TVEP members estimate they spend more than £15m per year on taxi fares to and from the airport.
“We are recommending that the existing Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect services that run from Paddington to Heathrow should be extended from the airport just a couple of miles to rejoin the Great Western mainline at Slough. This is only a short distance of track but it would mean that the many thousands of airport employees and travellers who currently have to drive to the airport from the west could have a feasible public transport alternative.”
“The M4 is overcrowded and congested and is predicted to get worse. We are seeking support to investigate innovative solutions to make best use of the M4 artery through the region. Possible solutions could include high occupancy vehicles, use of the hard shoulder, or even a rapid transit system like a monorail alongside the motorway.”
Mr Whittaker said “Our vision is for an integrated transport system that enables efficient travel by rail, bus or car across the Thames Valley and between the main towns in the region. This will only be achieved quickly and effectively with close coordination between public and private sector, and with the support of the government to address these schemes of national importance.”
For more information please visit www.thamesvalley.co.uk/infrastructure
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