News Release : 24 March 2005

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING ‘A WELCOME START’

South East England is to receive £88.4 million for vital transport schemes, some 44% of the Government’s total Community Infrastructure Fund.

The South East England Regional Assembly warmly welcomes this substantial investment in the growth areas of Thames Gateway, Ashford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury East which will support existing and future housing, relieve congestion and improve residents’ access to services.

Councillor Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the South East England Regional Assembly’s Planning Committee, said: “This is a great step forward and we are pleased. This money is much needed to support development in the growth areas. While this is a welcome start, we must not forget that other areas of the region need similar commitment to investment in transport, jobs and community and health facilities if we are to deliver sustainable growth in the South East.

“For example, the Department for Transport has recently missed an opportunity to support much-needed improvements in the A34 corridor by rejecting the Assembly’s call for a study to highlight long-term solutions for congestion. This is a key corridor linking the nationally significant ports of Southampton and Portsmouth to the Midlands. It is also a very important corridor for local communities through which it passes.

“The Department for Transport’s response on the A34 corridor is at odds with the long-term strategic planning role given to the Assembly by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. We need joined-up Government to support us in our role of planning what the region needs to 2026,” he added.

The Assembly co-ordinated the bidding process for CIF schemes. The £88.4 million has been split as follows:

Thames Gateway: £29.3m

• A249 Rushenden Relief Road on the Isle of Sheppey
• Fastrack – bus service

Ashford: £7.7m

• Ring Road Phase 1
• Victoria Way Highway Improvements

Milton Keynes and Aylesbury: £51.4m

• Upgrade of Milton Keynes Central Station
• Improvement to Junction 14 of the M1 (north of Milton Keynes)
• New railway station in Aylesbury (Aylesbury Parkway Station)
• New public transport hub in Aylesbury (improvements to the bus station and priority)
• New pedestrian cycle bridge in Aylesbury.
  

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The Assembly responded to the Government’s consultation of the Devolving Decision Making December 2004. For the full response please see the consultation page.
2. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
3. The Assembly is made up of 112 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
   
   
4. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007

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