A cancer research facility in Sutton called for better transport links during a visit from the Minister of Life Sciences this week (October 17).

Lord Prior met The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), the NHS Trust and Sutton Council, who has already invested £14 million in The London Cancer Hub in an effort to create a global centre for cancer research.

Transport for London recently pledged £70m in funding to extend the existing Croydon tram network South to Sutton.

The London Cancer Hub forms part of the ICR campus and its partners are calling for a tram link to extend further south to the site, along with better infrastructure for walking and cycling.

Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of the ICR, said: “The hub will bridge the public and private sectors by ensuring academic researchers share space with global and local private enterprises within integrated facilities.

“We estimate that once fully developed, it will contribute over £1 billion per annum to the UK economy.”

Lord Prior was introduced to the regeneration benefits the hub could deliver, the opportunities it will offer for South London and the need to secure investment for transport infrastructure.

Professor Workman continued: “We look forward to convening a further meeting in the near future with Lord Prior and other government colleagues to discuss the next steps in making this a reality.”

The ICR project aims to bring together 10,000 scientists at the Hub, establishing the Sutton site as a world leading life-science district.

Greater funding and transport links will aid in the discovery and availability of lifesaving drugs at the London Cancer Hub.

Sutton Council Leader, Ruth Dombey, said: “Thousands of employment and training opportunities for local people will be created which will provide a significant boost to the local economy.

“Work has already started on building a new school on the site which will specialise in life sciences and provide our youngsters with exciting opportunities to become the scientists and doctors of the future.”

“The London Cancer Hub will be a global centre for cancer innovation, providing state-of-the-art facilities and delivering real benefits for patients.”