Inspired by the success of the Midlands Engine and Northern Powerhouse, the government announced its planned approach for the transformation of the Arc’s Spatial Framework – an official assessment of the infrastructure needed to support sustainable economic growth and environment improvement – in a policy paper, published 18^th February. It includes a timeline for delivery and outlines how the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government will work with local partners and a single growth body to deliver it.

The Oxford-Cambridge Arc sits at the heart of England and covers the five counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The University of Bedfordshire and eight other universities across the five counties form the Arc Universities Group (AUG). Together, with industry and government support, the AUG is working to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the region through research and innovation, including specialisms in automotive and aerospace engineering, skills and entrepreneurship, and even recent breakthroughs in the Covid-19 vaccine.

Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Chair of the Arc Universities Group, said: “Often the toughest times can give rise to the biggest opportunities. The Arc Universities Group works with Government and business to exploit our world class science and research base, champion our incredible entrepreneurs and inventors, and develop the infrastructure we need to be at the forefront of the UK's green recovery.

“The Arc is already generating over £111billion of economic output each year. It has forecast that this could double to over £200 billion by 2050 if the region fully capitalised on its existing strength in science, technology and high value manufacturing. The Leaders are all committed to achieving a shared vision that supports ground-breaking ideas and innovation, drives sustainable economic growth and helps us to build greener, healthier and happier places to live.” 

As one of the ‘knowledge powerhouses’ within the Arc, the University of Bedfordshire is well placed to support business engagement, having attracted over £20m in business regeneration funding over the past few years and engaging with over 600 private sector organisations every year through its Innovation & Enterprise Service (IES).

Dr Nick Lancaster, Director of IES, said: “The University of Bedfordshire has an enviable reputation for driving sustainable economic growth through research and innovation. The proposed Spatial Framework is part of the underpinning infrastructure for academic experts from the Arc Universities Group to generate new knowledge to help drive social and economic impact for the region. Working with entrepreneurs and investors to build and scale their companies will create opportunities to retain more of our skilled graduate talent within the Arc’s knowledge-driven economy.” 

A recent example of Bedfordshire’s regional economic impact can be seen through the success of its multi-million-pound, EU-funded business support programmes, through which the University was able to fund short-term employment of approximately 200 graduates in local businesses.

The Spatial Framework will inevitably shape place-making for millions of people across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc and the anticipated timeline suggests planning will start from summer 2021, with an aim to publish the proposal in autumn 2022 for consultation. It’s hoped that the long-term vision of the Spatial Framework will enhance job creation, protect green spaces and invest in people's health and wellbeing – creating exemplars for green development that will inspire communities around the world.

For more information about the Arc, contact University of Bedfordshire’s Innovation & Enterprise Service (IES). The IES team provides a key service for Bedfordshire’s local economic and business communities, as well as initiating impactful research, collaborations and non-profit funding opportunities between organisations and academics.