Jan 2 2006
The development of Milton Keynes has taken a major step forward with the Government’s approval of an innovative infrastructure tariff and the award of £24m for railway improvements under the ODPM’s Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF).
Commenting on the successful CIF rail bid - Sir Bob Reid, Chairman of Milton Keynes Partnership said, “This is great news for Milton Keynes. This is something I have worked hard to win for the city. It strengthens our links to London and north to Birmingham. This is a real boost for the local economy and makes us a much more attractive investment location.”
The CIF money will be used for major rail improvements including a new platform for fast trains at Milton Keynes Central station and a new ticket hall at Wolverton station. The infrastructure tariff is a new means to identify and agree planning contributions from developers and landowners. These contributions will provide some of the resource required for the infrastructure delivery programme.
Jane Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer of Milton Keynes Partnership welcomes today’s approval of the infrastructure tariff. She said, “I’m delighted that our innovative approach to infrastructure funding has been given the green light. As Milton Keynes grows we need to be able to forward plan roads, schools and health provision. Whilst some of this money will be provided by central government - developers will also make an important contribution. At the moment, under the planning system, the funding agreements with developers are usually put together in a piecemeal way. We have looked at the big picture and costed Milton Keynes’ needs until 2016. The tariff will help ensure that we get new infrastructure to meet existing and future community needs.”