22nd November 2019

Mr Tom Morris Principal Planning Officer Oxford City Council Town Hall, St Aldate's Chambers 109 St Aldate's Oxford, OX1 1BX

BY EMAIL: [email protected]

Dear Mr Morris

Re: Redevelopment of Oxford Station

On behalf of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC) and Oxfordshire Local Chamber Advisory Group (LCAG), we are writing with respect to current plans for the redevelopment of Oxford Station.

As a business organisation serving over 4,000 members, TVCC are strongly supportive of the redevelopment of the station on both economic and environmental grounds. Our approach is informed by our Business Manifesto and our Local Policy Priorities, and the associated extensive consultation we undertake, in which we confirm our support for the development of local infrastructure solutions and the promotion of the region as a smart destination of choice for investment.

At our most recent Oxfordshire LCAG meeting, members raised a number of specific points, including the following:

• From an economic perspective, it was felt that the redevelopment of the station would be of significant benefit to Oxford and Oxfordshire, since it would increase the attractiveness of a most important gateway to Oxford and consequently the city itself as a destination for both inward investors looking to locate there and for our many visitors who might base themselves in London.

• We would strongly support proposals that deliver ‘not just’ a functional railway inter-change but a commercial opportunity and gateway of scale and impact. There are examples of near neighbour developments, such as Reading central station, that have delivered all three providing a wider catalyst for investment.

• In terms of the environment, there was full endorsement of the vision in the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to provide a multi-modal transport interchange that supports a choice of sustainable transport modes including rail, bus, cycling and walking and use of the

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce

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150 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough SL1 4SS

city park and rides. As part of such proposals, we understand, there may be a requirement for a relocation of the station car park, slightly further away than originally planned to allow safe ingress/egress of (public transport) vehicles. Subject to details we would support such a proposal.

• It was noted that a separate scheme is in progress to address the issue of congestion on Botley Road. Nevertheless, it was suggested that, as this issue is closely linked to the station redevelopment, it would also be beneficial to review it in this context.

• We encourage your consideration of the wider opportunities and implications of providing a truly ‘step-change’ development. The aim and aspiration of the sub-regional growth agenda; the appetite to sustain high levels of quality foreign direct investment and need to ensure Oxford retains its highest international profile1 are driven by the, now, timely delivery of ambitious, scaled commercial development the City requires from Oxford Station.

We thank you for receiving our correspondence and we would very much welcome your response to the above points.

Further, we would also like to take this opportunity to invite you to a forthcoming meeting of our LCAG to provide an update on what key steps and milestones are being developed/discussed following the Oxford Railway Station SPD consultation.

We look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Britton Phil Southall Chief Executive Local President - Oxfordshire

1 see for example: Good Growth for Cities and Times Higher Education Ranking