A Liberal Democrat government would re-open the Oxford to Cambridge Rail Link in full as the "Garden Cities Line", dramatically expanding three to five of the towns along the route to enable approximately 50,000 new homes to be built on Garden City principles: high quality, sustainable development with accessible green space and gardens for all.
The Lib Dems say they will encourage the towns along the route to come forward with plans for this scale of development (e.g. approximately 9,000 to 15,000 homes or more if an area prefers) with clear benefits for existing residents, such as service improvement like "express stations" with higher frequency rail services.
They also point out that Bedford, which is already planned to have a station on the line has recently given planning permission for 18,000 additional homes. We will offer Bedford as an example to other locations along the line and offer them an express service stop on the line in exchange for their increasing their housing stock significantly along Garden City Principles.
Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg said: "Britain faces a housing crisis. Every day, 200 fewer families own their own home, as home owners die and more young families get stuck renting, unable to afford to buy. Housebuilding is stuck in the doldrums, with nowhere near enough homes being built to meet demand and keep prices affordable for those families desperate for a home of their own."
Continuing Mr Clegg said: "Garden Cities are a vital cornerstone of our plan to boost house building to 300,000 homes a year – enough to meet demand and keep prices in reach – while still protecting our precious green space and preventing urban sprawl. Our plan is to build a series of high quality new towns and cities where people want to live, with green space, sustainable transport and spacious homes."
Concluding Nick Clegg commented: "The Conservatives have held back the development of Garden Cities on the scale necessary, but if Liberal Democrats are part of the next government, we will ensure at least ten get underway – with up to five along this new Garden Cities Railway, bringing new homes and jobs to the brain-belt of South East England."
Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg said: "Britain faces a housing crisis. Every day, 200 fewer families own their own home, as home owners die and more young families get stuck renting, unable to afford to buy. Housebuilding is stuck in the doldrums, with nowhere near enough homes being built to meet demand and keep prices affordable for those families desperate for a home of their own."
Continuing Mr Clegg said: "Garden Cities are a vital cornerstone of our plan to boost house building to 300,000 homes a year – enough to meet demand and keep prices in reach – while still protecting our precious green space and preventing urban sprawl. Our plan is to build a series of high quality new towns and cities where people want to live, with green space, sustainable transport and spacious homes."
Concluding Nick Clegg commented: "The Conservatives have held back the development of Garden Cities on the scale necessary, but if Liberal Democrats are part of the next government, we will ensure at least ten get underway – with up to five along this new Garden Cities Railway, bringing new homes and jobs to the brain-belt of South East England."
