Image from Gloucestershire County Council
You may have seen that the Government has awarded a £71.5 million funding boost for the development of M5 Junction 10, seen as crucial for local economic development.
This will also add impetus to the crucial Golden Valley project, the first stage of which is due to begin construction in a few months. Our profile of this development can be seen here>>
But, as reported in Raike’s Journal and elsewhere, this decision was significantly influenced by businesses like yours, by the Chamber and other local business groups.
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government, wrote directly to Chamber CEO, Michael Ratcliffe to thank him for his support in getting this important project for Gloucestershire and Cheltenham a step closer to completion.
And, if you are one of the businesses who responded to our call to contact the relevant Ministers, thank you!
When we make enough noise, they do sometimes listen.
The outcome of Local Government reform in Gloucestershire is due to be announced this summer. So, maintaining a strong local business voice, whether through the Chamber, BID or other groups, will become even more important.
