Britain could boast its own Silicon Valley if plans to re-establish the rail link between Cambridge and Oxford are fast-tracked.

The National Infrastructure Commission is urging the government to deliver the western section of the East West Railline by 2024 and bring forward £100m in funding.

It says speeding up the project will enable the creation of a corridor of innovation and learning, linking the two university cities by rail for the first time since 1967.

Network Rail

The NIC study into how to maximise the potential of the Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford corridor found that a lack of sufficient and suitable housing presents a risk to the success of the area.

The report called for a “joined-up plan” for homes, jobs and infrastructure.