Skip to main content

UK plans fully integrated transport network to high tech hot spots

The UK government’s plans to support the country’s burgeoning high-tech industry, centred on London, Cambridge and Oxford, are being facilitated by the Department for Transport (DfT) and its plans for a fully integrated transport network linking each of the three core technical clusters, as well as the wider technical community. The DfT is developing proposals for the construction of a new railway line from Bedford to Cambridge. This would build on the ongoing work on the east-west rail project and compl
December 9, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The UK government’s plans to support the country’s burgeoning high-tech industry, centred on London, Cambridge and Oxford, are being facilitated by the 1837 Department for Transport (DfT) and its plans for a fully integrated transport network linking each of the three core technical clusters, as well as the wider technical community.

The DfT is developing proposals for the construction of a new railway line from Bedford to Cambridge. This would build on the ongoing work on the east-west rail project and complete the London-Cambridge-Oxford tech triangle.

Once both of these lines are completed they will allow for fast direct rail services between Cambridge and Oxford for the first time in a generation.

The government is already committed to a huge expansion of the existing railway; a US$62 billion spending programme between 2014 and 2019 will improve and maintain the national network.

From 2019 the new Thameslink and Crossrail services will improve access from London to the other tech clusters but also to Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports; a proposed new station in Cambridge will provide access to the SciencePark and tech locations cutting journey times; in Oxford the total rebuild and expansion of the existing station and new bus station will again significantly improve access to tech locations within the city; from 2018 the Thameslink scheme allows for direct trains between Farringdon and City Thameslink within London and Cambridge and improves service to 3249 Gatwick Airport; and the electrification of the Great Western Mainline which allows for the new Super Express to be operational by 2017 will reduce journey times and improve services between London to Oxford and beyond.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Plans for new Thames crossing unveiled
    July 1, 2014
    On the 120th anniversary of the completion of London’s Tower Bridge, Arup, along with architects HOK, has unveiled its plans for a new bridge across the River Thames. The US$1 billion concept, called ‘Bridge East London’, would help transform leisure and business travel and enhance life in the east of the capital. It suggests a new road bridge over the River Thames, linking Beckton and Thamesmead at Gallions Reach. The proposed bridge would allow clear passage for ships and takes into account aircraf
  • KeolisAmey reappointed to operate London's automated rail system
    October 7, 2024
    New eight-year €140m deal from Transport for London to run Docklands Light Railway
  • Cash injection to deliver smart card technology to UK rail passengers
    September 2, 2013
    The UK government is investing US$4.4 million into a trial of paperless ticketing as it starts its multi-million pound push to deliver smart card technology to rail passengers across the south east, Transport Minister Norman Baker has announced. Train operator c2c, which operates between London and the Essex coast, will upgrade ticketing systems at all of its stations outside London, paving the way for passengers to start using smart cards in the region. This will be rolled out on services outside London fr
  • European Investment Bank backing for UK’s East Coast Main Line trains
    April 17, 2014
    Europe’s long-term lending institution, the European Investment Bank has, as part of a consortium of international banks, agreed to finance the deployment of 65 new Hitachi super express trains to be used on the East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland. This new fleet will replace the Intercity 125 and 225 trains currently in use on the line. The new East Coast Main Line trains will be financed under the Department for Transport’s Intercity Express Programme, which includes the financing, desig