Mayor makes case for region’s infrastructure investment at key roundtable

Mayor makes case for region’s infrastructure investment at key roundtable

Infrastructure in and around Cambridge was on the agenda for a roundtable with a key body advising the Government on the country’s infrastructure challenges.

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson was among attendees for a meeting in Cambridge on Thursday (Aug 1) with the National Infrastructure Commission, the body which carries out in-depth studies into the UK’s major infrastructure needs and makes recommendations to the Government.

The roundtable covered a range of topics linked to infrastructure challenges for Cambridge and the surrounding area to 2050.

Attendees included representatives from local councils, Anglian Water and UK Power Networks, business and academic member organisation Cambridge Ahead, business networking group Cambridge Network, sub-national transport body England’s Economic Heartland, and Innovation Corridor which focuses on growth between London and Cambridge.

Key issues covered included the key challenges facing Cambridge and its surrounding region as it continues to grow rapidly, with electricity distribution infrastructure a particular focus of the roundtable. It discussed how to enable the local electricity network can keep pace to meet growing demand and what could be learned from past infrastructure developments.

With the new Government also committing working with regional mayors to drive regional growth, also discussed was how deepening devolution can help the area develop the infrastructure it needs.

The meeting was a chance for the Mayor and other attendees to set out how national policy can help ensure that a lack of infrastructure doesn’t hold the region back.

The discussion will help the Commission to develop its evidence base, in particular ahead of making recommendations on the future of electricity distribution networks in a report due to be published in early 2025.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, said: “Investment in our infrastructure is crucial to support the sustainable growth of our region. This roundtable was another opportunity for the Combined Authority to put our case forward. By working closely with Government and its advisors, like the Commission, we are aiming to develop to the underpinning infrastructure that will support a bright future for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”

Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, Sir John Armitt, said: “It’s a pleasure to be back in Cambridge and to hear and see at first hand the challenges and opportunities the region faces. We’re grateful to Mayor Johnson and his team for convening a roundtable of local experts to help us explore these issues, particularly how we ensure that the electricity grid is ready to meet future demand from this remarkable region.”