We're in the moneyA NEW report out confirms that Mid Anglia is one of the wealthiest places in the country outside London - and top of the rich list are the residents of Cambourne. They may not all dine on caviar and oysters or drive around in Mercedes but the inhabitants of Cambourne are the highest earners in the area.The figures show Cambridgeshire is ranked the 19th wealthiest county out of 141 in the UK and is getting richer every year. It ranks ahead of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and most of the home counties. Peterborough comes in at number 60 and Suffolk close behind at 61. The average income for workers in the county is now £32,100, which is more than £3,000 up on last year. The national average is now £29,000. Topping the local table is the postcode area starting CB3 6 in Cambourne where the average income is £46,566 and the average house price is £197,132. In second place is Foxton where houses are more expensive on average but wages are slightly less. In last place is the postcode area starting CB9 8 in Haverhill where average salary is £23,394 and the average house costs £88,843. One of the first Cambourne residents, Roger Hume, says the report's finding have not surprised him because the village is home to many young professionals and people who commute to the capital. Mr Hume, who is vice-chairman of the Cambourne Management Liaison Committee, said: "I book advertising for the village magazine and a lot of big companies want to advertise with us as we are very high service users apparently. "A lot of people have moved here with serious equity from places like Essex or Surrey and they have moved from terraced houses into four-bedroom family homes. It's a nice place to live and that's the important thing." Kim Norman, executive director of Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, said there was a downside to the soaring wealth of the area. He said: "The Cambridge economy is still outperforming the national average but one of the problems with that is the impact it has on the rest of the community with things like house price rises." He said the main reason for the buoyant local economy was the influence of the university which attracts many high-tech businesses. The area is also home to many people commuting into London and they tend to be wealthier. Source Cambridge Evening News 23rd June 2003 |
