One area of Milton Keynes is earmarked for £25m worth of improvements

The council is preparing to ask the government for the cash to secure a brighter future for Bletchley and Fenny Stratford.

The investment plan will be centred around growth opportunities arising from the planned East-West Rail scheme that will provide Bletchley with direct rail links to Oxford and Cambridge.

Among the proposed improvements ar new gateways to the towns to create an eastern railway station entrance and transport interchange, and opening up Queensway to reconnect it with the Buckingham Road.

Underused sites and buildings in the town centre would be redeveloped, and a Station Quarter would be built to become a "thriving mixed-use area" between the train station and Bletchley Park.

Milton Keynes is one of 100 places eligible to bid for up to £25m of government investment. Earlier this year, partners in MK decided to set up a Town Board tasked with developing a strong investment case for Bletchley and Fenny Stratford.

The group will meet virtually this Friday at the Town Deal’s inaugural meeting. They will set out how different organisations will work together to create an investment plan to ensure Bletchley and Fenny Stratford capitalise on their growth prospects and the opportunities that flow from East-West Rail.

Before submitting a plan to government later this year, the Town Board will engage with the community to ensure local people are involved in shaping the future of their area.

Leader of MK Council, Councillor Pete Marland, said: “We have ambitious plans for Bletchley which has significant growth and investment opportunities. As we restart the local economy in response to Covid- 19, the Town Board will play an important role in restoring business confidence and securing this vital funding for our communities. I look forward to working with partners across the city to deliver a brighter future for Bletchley.”