Harlow and Europe’s Silicon Valley
Becoming the home of Europe’s Silicon Valley would be a source of national pride. It would also be a welcome boost to the whole UK economy. This was the vision set out by Rachel Reeves. She recently announced plans to link Oxford and Cambridge in a move projected to add up to £78bn to the UK economy by 2035.
Just 66 miles apart, these cities are home to two of the world’s top universities. They are home to major innovation clusters, and globally renowned life science. Also there are many AI and tech firms, offering huge potential for UK economic growth. The government wants thousands of homes and better transport links to be developed in the area between the cities.
Key infrastructure projects include new funding for East-West Rail, better transport links, and the development of expanded communities within the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
Oxford and Cambridge are two of the least affordable cities in the UK, and while demand is high, supply constraints on housing remain a major challenge for growth in the region. Source: Dataloft by PriceHubble (https://inform.dataloft.co.uk/), UK Government.
WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR HARLOW?
There is little doubt that the proposed link up between Oxford & Cambridge will be good news for the UK economy. It is great news also for Oxford & Cambridge itself. However, there has to be massive benefits for Harlow as well.
Harlow sits bang in the middle of the ‘M11 corridor’ and with direct rail links to Cambridge as well as an easy drive of 30 minutes up the M11.
Harlow has its own science park and with Public Health England taking over the old Glaxo site at The Pinnacles, this has to have a positive effect on Harlow property prices.
Jukes Estate Agents Sales & Marketing Director Geoff Flewers says: “Harlow property has always benefitted from being in the M11 corridor. Its close proximity to London & Cambridge has always been a big plus”!
He continued: “The creation of a ‘silicon valley’ between Oxford & Cambridge can only add to the value of Harlow property. I estimate that Harlow property will rise by an ADDITIONAL 10% over the next 10 years should this development go ahead”.