A week on from a spring budget which saw Norfolk overlooked in favour of larger science hubs in the east, the leader of the county’s leading research centre has warned poor connectivity is stifling growth.
In what was expected to be his last major financial statement before the general election, Jeremy Hunt announced a raft of measures aimed at delivering “long-term growth”.
Among them was the promise of more than £7m of funding for Cambridge to improve local transport connections between the university’s Biomedical Campus and the city, plus an additional £3m to support growth at the Cambridge University NHS Trust.
Meanwhile, leaders in Norfolk have lamented the lack of funds for infrastructure projects, after hoped-for money towards road schemes such as the Norwich Western Link and Long Stratton Bypass failed to materialise.
Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership, which manages Norwich Research Park, said poor accessibility is a serious barrier to young people considering careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
She said: “We need some significant but simple transport solutions for things like buses so that young people can access relevant further education, training and jobs in the districts and counties they live in.
“If we are able to unlock the latent potential that is undoubtedly here in the region we can unlock the future geniuses currently living in rural isolation.”
And while previous funding announcements for Cambridge have been well received locally due to the positive impact it could have on Norfolk businesses, celebrations have come with the caveat that direct investment is needed here to realise those benefits.
Candy Richards, from the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Although any proposal to kick-start growth is positive, the announcement must not be to the detriment of the neighbouring counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.
“The infrastructure needed to realise the region’s potential is woefully lacking.
“From tackling the transport deserts in rural communities to dualling the A47, and upgrading the rail lines, including the Norwich-Cambridge route.”
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