STROUD MP Neil Carmichael attended a meeting of Berkeley’s council – bearing positive news of the “massive opportunity” the new training centre will offer the town.

Mr Carmichael delivered the information of a future cash injection into Berkeley’s infrastructure at a meeting of the town council on Monday, February 16.

The MP said that funding for Berkeley GREEN training centre will be used in the surrounding area to ease access and lessen the strain on roads.

The South Gloucestershire and Stroud College's Berkeley GREEN Skills Centre will see around 400 learners and staff arriving at the site in September 2016.

It is also hoped that a university technical college and a cyber security training and conference centre will also be open at this time.

The influx of students and staff will put more demand on Berkeley’s road system, making it likely that improvements and revisions will be made.

Mr Carmichael said: “As you know we secured funding to turn Berkeley power station into a training centre, and they’re going to be starting pretty quickly.

“One advantage of that is the improved infrastructure we will need to the station. There will be more traffic and a larger flow of people, and the additional funding we have is going to deliver for those needs.

“Obviously the details have not been thrashed out yet – but what you should be doing is submitting one or two ideas in the medium-term foreseeable future.”

He continued: “I want to know what you really want. It’s very exciting and really good for the area.

“This is a massive opportunity to upgrade the infrastructure.”

While at the meeting Mr Carmichael also advised the council to establish a neighbourhood plan, which involved a town council highlighting areas to both develop and avoid developments.

Cllr Liz Ashton raised some issues.

“The whole idea is to be pro-development, but some people seem to think it will be a good way of preventing developments,” she said.

”It’s so difficult and needs an enormous amount of energy and commitment.”

Mr Carmichael responded: “I can see why you wouldn’t do it but you have to be positive about these things.”

Mr Carmichael also took the opportunity to talk about issues with broadband and phone connectivity.