The Marches Forward Partnership has used a national investment and infrastructure forum to promote Shropshire, Powys and neighbouring border areas as places for future rural growth support.
The partnership was represented at UKREiiF by Daniel Burgess, head of economy and climate at Powys County Council. The forum brings together public bodies, investors and development organisations to discuss infrastructure, regeneration and the future of places across the UK.
Rural infrastructure on the investment agenda
The Marches Forward Partnership said its case at UKREiiF focused on long-term planning, infrastructure investment and environmental resilience across the England-Wales border.
The area being promoted includes Shropshire, Powys, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. The partnership has also used the phrase Capital of Rural Britain to describe the region’s economic and geographic offer.
For local communities, the discussion is likely to matter most where investment links to transport, future housing and jobs, flood resilience and water management. Rural areas often face higher delivery costs and longer distances between homes, workplaces and services, so national investment programmes can shape whether new development is practical.
Severn Valley scheme used as a flagship example
One programme highlighted at the forum was the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme. The cross-border initiative is led by the Environment Agency with Natural Resources Wales, Powys County Council and Shropshire Council, and is funded by Defra.
Its purpose is to develop a wider water management strategy for the upper Severn. The partnership presented it as an example of how infrastructure planning could support both economic growth and climate resilience.
Border councils seek a stronger national voice
Councillor Jake Berriman, leader of Powys County Council, said the forum gave rural areas a chance to make their case directly to national and private-sector audiences.
“We have real potential to deliver sustainable growth, but we need the right investment and partnerships to unlock it,” he said.
The Marches Forward Partnership includes councils from Shropshire, Powys, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. Its next test will be whether the relationships built through forums such as UKREiiF turn into funded schemes for rural infrastructure, housing and jobs across the border region.
Source: Shropshire Council Newsroom
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- Source
- Shropshire Council Newsroom
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- Shropshire, Powys, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire
- Updated
- 2026-05-27 17:53
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