Macclesfield MP David Rutley has met with top Cabinet Office minister, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, to give his support and backing to plans for the Cheshire Science Corridor.
The Cheshire Science Corridor will link a series of centres of excellence, such as Alderley Park, AstraZeneca’s site in Macclesfield, Thornton and Daresbury, into the science and research community in Manchester. This ambitious initiative is part of our area’s submission to the Government’s £2bn Growth Deal for 2015/16. The development of this science cluster would be supported by providing access to specialist investment finance through the Greater Manchester & Cheshire Life Science Investment Fund.
David is backing the plans set out by the Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Partnership, which have been actively supported by Cheshire East Council. The Science Corridor is one of its three top priorities and has the potential to build on north-east Cheshire’s outstanding track record of creating innovative businesses and attracting investment in science and technology.
In his letter of support to the Cabinet Office minister, David writes:
“As the Member of Parliament for Macclesfield, and a member of the Alderley Park Task Force, I am particularly supportive of the Cheshire Science Corridor and the strategic context this provides for future investment in the Alderley Park site from which AstraZeneca are relocating much of their existing R&D activity. … The investment plans, coupled with the innovation fund for science based businesses, offer the genuine prospect of establishing a biopharmaceutical centre of excellence of international standing and deliver long term, sustainable, high value jobs.”
After submitting his letter, David said, “Macclesfield and north east Cheshire has real strength and talent in science and research and development. I am actively working to ensure that they continue to underpin a strong local economy for years to come. That’s why I am giving my full support to Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Partnership’s bid for a Cheshire Science Corridor.”