SWINDON’S economic future lies to the east and with closer ties to Oxford and London, the leader of the council has said.

Coun David Renard at a scrutiny meeting earlier this week defended his administration’s decision to join the England’s Economic Heartland group, which aims to improve transport and digital connectivity across the south.

Opposition councillors had suggested that the borough’s focus on improving connectivity with economic centres such as Oxford, Cambridge and London was misguided.

Coun Mark Dempsey (Lab) said: “We have much more in common with places like Bristol and Bath and I think it’s a mistake to look east when we should be looking west.”

The EEH group has already secured investment for the East-West Rail and the Oxford-to-Cambridge Expressway schemes, and is working closely with the National Infrastructure Commission, Highways England and Network Rail.

Swindon Borough Council is hoping that by joining the group they will be able to raise the town’s transport issues and opportunities at a national level with the aim of making the case for securing additional funding that will benefit the borough.

But Coun Renard dismissed Coun Dempsey’s concerns, insisting that being part of the initiative was in Swindon’s best interests.

He said: “Our economy looks east rather than in any other direction. The connection to London and Oxford is very important for a whole range of economic reasons.

“I think we have lots in common with those in the west, but that doesn’t mean we want to work with them directly. The future is definitely to the east. In terms of strategic transport, this is the only game in town.”

Coun Toby Elliott, the cabinet member for strategic planning and sustainability, echoed his leader’s words.

He said: “Our links to Oxford are very poor and this is a massive opportunity to get those upgraded. The west of England is quite insular, whereas this is something from which we can directly benefit.”