TWO world-leading facilities which could bring new jobs to Wallingford were opened yesterday by Lord Heseltine.

The former cabinet minister visited research centre HR Wallingford to open the Fast Flow Facility and Ship Simulation Centre.

Oxford Mail:

From left, Dr Stephen Huntingdon, Dr Bruce Tomlinson and MD Dr Jane Smallman

The Fast Flow Facility ocean simulator will carry out research into coastal and offshore waters. It is the only one of its kind in Europe and will be used to plan the building of off-shore wind farms and the laying of underwater cables.

The Ship Simulation Centre has four replicas of ships bridges surrounded by simulated environments, will be used to help design docks and train sailors.

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Managing director Dr Jane Smallman said of the £3m project said: “There is a direct economic benefit in terms of the money coming into the town.

“In terms of jobs we are going to need more people to operate these facilities and we are going to have local contractors building things for these facilities.

“It was really important to have Lord Heseltine along because of his involvement in the business community and he was the Government minister who privatised us, so he has been there all along.”

 

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