Today Theresa May joined a delegation of Thames Valley MPs and local businesses to press the Transport Minister for better transport infrastructure in the Thames Valley area.
Theresa explained: ‘Today at a meeting with Transport Minster Gillian Merron I pressed the Government to improve our train service and for the need for a third Thames Bridge to relieve Sonning Bridge.
‘The meeting was a joint meeting of a cross-party group of Thames Valley MPs and businesses who are members of the Thames Valley Economic Partnership with the Minister to press for Government action to improve transport links in our area. TVEP members include key multi-nationals like 3, Microsoft, Prudential, Vodaphone, Dell, Cisco, Oracle and Siemens.
‘The message was clear. Without better transport infrastructure business will no longer want to locate in the Thames Valley. That means we would lose jobs and economic activity in Maidenhead and the local area, but it would also mean a loss for the UK. Multi-national businesses locate in our area because of good transport links and many believe we are reaching a tipping point where failure to act by the Government will mean businesses will move out. For example, TVEP has calculated that business spends over £8million a year in the cost of taxis to Heathrow because there are no direct rail links from our area to Heathrow. If just six corporates left the Thames Valley it could mean the loss of 23,500 jobs and over £1 billion of economic activity.
‘I raised the impact of the slow deterioration in our train service, the need to improve the Great Western mainline and capacity at Reading station and the need to get trains to Maidenhead back on the mainline. I also told the Minister that if Crossrail stops at Maidenhead it will mean a worse service for local people.
‘I also emphasised the need for a third bridge over the Thames to relieve Sonning Bridge and improve access north to south in the Thames Valley.
‘I want to see Government action on these issues. and I shall continue to press them for better transport infrastructure for Maidenhead and the wider Thames Valley.’
