Mayor hopes Cambridge growth money 'not a burden' for locals
The Chancellor's announced she'll double the money available for the city's development corporation to £800 million
The mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough believes plans for a development corporation in Cambridge must not be "too much of a burden" for people living and working there.
It comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is doubling the funding available to help buy land and improve infrastructure between Oxford and Cambridge from £400 million to £800m.
Plans to create a Greater Oxford development corporation - previously been used to spearhead major regeneration projects - are being proposed, similar to those for Cambridge made earlier this year.
"Could it work? Yes, but what we need is the Government to give us the money tog vie us the infrastructure to make it work," mayor Paul Bristow said.
"Cambridge is already congested, there are already lots of homes being built so if we are going to have this development corporation, we need the cash to make sure it doesn't become too much of a burden for local people."
Plan is right 'in an age of uncertainty' - Chancellor
The authorities will help the two university cities and their surrounding regions build new infrastructure as the Government aims to boost economic growth across the area.
The so-called Oxford-Cambridge corridor is one of the only UK regions outside of London which is a net contributor to Britain’s economy.
"From the great northern cities to the cutting edge labs of Oxford and Cambridge, we are betting on Britain’s regions to power the next wave of innovation and growth," Ms Reeves said.
"We are not repeating mistakes of the past; this is the right economic plan in an age of uncertainty.”
Local issues must be dealt with - Bristow
Mr Bristow backs growth for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, having set out plans to triple the size of the county's economy by 2050.
But he is keen for the Government's move to deliver for residents.
"If we can see a solution to some of our congested roads and if we can see a new future for Addenbrooke's Hospital as well, I think it will be an easier thing for local people to swallow if it comes with that sort of investment," Mr Bristow said.
"My priority is simple: to make our area healthier, wealthier, and happier, and this investment helps us get there faster."