In a 2016 interim report on the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford corridor, or the Arc, the National Infrastructure Commission identified the area as having “the potential to be “the UK’s Silicon Valley – a world-renowned centre for science, technology and innovation”.

The Arc seems to have been 'the next big thing' since then, but is that potential any closer to being tapped? Is there any evidence that it really is a “national priority” and “one of the world’s greatest economic opportunities” as Robert Jenrick described it as Treasury Minister, or, as Chuck D suggested, is it best not to believe the hype.

Sam Stafford discusses the Arc proposition with Tim Burden, Director at Turley; Bridget Rosewell, economist and National Infrastructure Commissioner; and Alistair Lomax, Director at the Arc Universities Group.

Twitter handles: @samuel_stafford, @timburden03, @brosewell and @alistair_lomax.

Some accompanying reading.

The National Infrastructure Commission's report

https://www.nic.org.uk/publications/partnering-prosperity-new-deal-cambridge-milton-keynes-oxford-arc/

Tim's think piece

https://www.turley.co.uk/comment/oxford-cambridge-arc-lets-just-get-it

Some recommended viewing.

The Arctic Monkeys at Reading in 2006

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMxJhZc2sBI