New M5 junction would be 'helpful' - science park

A new M5 motorway junction in Worcestershire could "be really helpful" and unlock future investment in the county, councillors have been told.

Malvern Hills Science Park chief executive Alan White said the site employed about 400 people and contributed about £22m annually to the local economy.

He said: "A junction 7A on the M5 would be really helpful. Ultimately, the better connected the Malvern area is, the easier it is for business to do what it does."

His comments were made at Worcestershire County Council's economic overview and scrutiny panel meeting on Wednesday. Councillor Martin Allen had asked what specific infrastructure improvements would help the science park grow.

White said: "Heading south via Upton can be a bit traumatic, to get onto the M5.

"Heading north to get onto junction seven is much better than it was but wouldn't it be great to have that direct link off the M5 into Malvern? I appreciate that's just a pipe dream."

But council deputy leader and cabinet member for business Adam Kent said the science park was a "hotbed of defence, technical, science and other aspects".

He said there needed to be more of an "American buzz" about the science park, adding: "I'm going to be looking over the next few months to see what we can do to get as many high paid jobs into Malvern as we can."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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