PLANS to transform the corridor between Oxford and Cambridge into the UK’s answer to Silicon Valley have been submitted to Government.

Oxfordshire Growth Board has concluded its round of discussions with the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) over the proposed Oxford to Cambridge ‘Growth Corridor’.

Following 18 months of work, the NIC, headed by former transport secretary Lord Adonis, will be making its recommendations to Government on how to maximise the economic potential of the 130-mile corridor that links the two cities.

Councillor Bob Price, chairman of the Oxfordshire Growth Board and leader of Oxford City Council, said: “With world class centres like Harwell, Culham and Oxford itself, Oxfordshire is already a knowledge-intensive cluster that competes on a global stage.

"Working with the NIC, the Growth Board has focused on the opportunity to strengthen the knowledge arc – or brain-belt – linking Oxford through Milton Keynes to Cambridge.

There is the potential to create a new economic powerhouse for the UK, while protecting our high quality environment, and securing the homes the area needs.”

The project aims to grow the knowledge-based economy in the corridor so that it competes on a global stage with areas such as Silicon Valley in the US.

The NIC’s recommendations will be taken into consideration by the Government for its infrastructure spending announcement in the Autumn Budget, which will be announced on Wednesday, November 22.