Milton Keynes South MP Iain Stewart and Bletchley Conservative spokesperson Allan Rankine met Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to discuss Bletchley’s role in the development of the new East–West corridor. Dubbed the UK’s own ‘Silicon Valley’, the development corridor is expected to bring innovation, technology and highly skilled jobs to the Milton Keynes area.
Bletchley station is positioned to become a critical commuting hub for the redeveloped East–West railway and the town represents a useful mid-point location for any businesses utilising the new Oxford-Cambridge Expressway.
Chris Grayling said:
“I was delighted to meet with Iain and Allan to discuss how Bletchley might prepare for the opportunities presented by the East-West Rail project.
“Both are fantastic local champions and I want to reassure them that Milton Keynes is a priority area for transport infrastructure. Bletchley especially will be critical to improving our transport links and I am sure that it is also destined to play a major part in underpinning the economic success of this exciting project.”
Iain Stewart said:
“Chris visited Bletchley Park in December to launch the East-West Railway company and I think it is a measure of his commitment that he is back here today to discuss how the new transport corridor might catalyse positive changes in Bletchley. As the new champion for the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford corridor I am determined to deliver the government’s vision in a way that benefits local people at all points East to West. If we get this right, local enterprise partnerships and businesses will bring economic growth and badly needed investment to towns like Bletchley.”
Allan Rankine said:
"Residents across Bletchley say that years of neglect and underinvestment has left many streets neglected, particularly in the town centre. To attract inward investment, we must first make Bletchley an attractive place to live, work and play. Small changes can make a difference and it starts with cleaning and improving the condition of our town centre, roads and verges. I will be working hard to prepare Bletchley for the investment it badly deserves.