Town plan could correct MK design flaw, says MP

Labour MP Chris Curtis hopes Milton Keynes' new town will correct "historic mistakes" that were made when the city was first designed

Design flaws in a city built in the middle of the century can be corrected with the construction of a new town, an MP has said.

Milton Keynes has been named as one of 12 potential locations by the government's New Towns Taskforce.

As part of the construction, a Mass Rapid Transit system would be delivered, "reshaping the way people travel" around the city, Downing Street said.

Chris Curtis, the Labour MP for Milton Keynes, said it would "correct" what he described as a "historic mistake" of putting "too much reliance on the car".

"We've got to acknowledge that we got some things wrong in the way that we did it in the 60s and 70s," he said.

"One of those things is we've got too much reliance on the car and we didn't put a proper public transport system back in place when we first built [Milton Keynes].

"What I'm attempting to do here is correct that historic mistake and ensure we've got other options for people.

"Lots of people in the city aren't able to drive, lots of people might want to take alternative forms of transport - it's a way of getting congestion off our roads."

Pete Marland, leader of Milton Keynes Council, is delighted the city will be getting a new town

The new transport system would connect people from Bradwell in the north of the city, powered by electricity and using its own road lane.

Labour councillor Pete Marland, leader of Milton Keynes Council, said it would adopt a "tram-line" style and function across three to four lines.

"The fact that the government has promised literally millions of pounds, nearly billions of pounds hopefully, of investment into our city can only be a good thing," he said.

"We've got 1,000 families in temporary accommodation and we've got people that moved to Milton Keynes in the 1960s and 1970s whose children can't get houses, and their children's children can't get houses.

"That's not right in a place like Milton Keynes, which was built to house the workers of the future."

Jill Farnsworth, chief executive of Milton Keynes BID, said the plan would have a "hugely positive effect"

Jill Farnsworth, chief executive of Milton Keynes BID, said it was "brilliant" that the area could get a new town, adding that a new transport system could be "transformational".

"It is so great to see Milton Keynes getting recognised as a place for growth potential," she said.

"Any increase in the residential population in the city centre will have a hugely positive affect because it will mean more customers for businesses, more job opportunities, and a wider talent pool for businesses when they are recruiting.

"But really importantly it is about unlocking investment in infrastructure. It will create a more lively, vibrant place and support a booming local economy."

David Stabler, from Central Milton Keynes Town Council, criticised the plans for the new town

But not everyone feels as positively about the project.

"We have asked the council for more information and they haven't yet given it to us," said David Stabler, chairman of Central Milton Keynes Town Council.

"Also, some of these apartments they are building will be two and one bed apartments - no family homes and very few facilities.

"People need playing grounds, they need doctors' surgeries - all these things that families need, they will not be built."