Infrastructure

The area has a large concentration of key transport infrastructure serving the Thames Valley, London and cross-country routes. Major motorways and trunk routes include the M1, M3, M4, M329 and M40, and the A40, A34, A5 and A4. A significant majority of rail routes to the south, west, midlands, and north of the UK transit through the Thames Valley. The area borders Heathrow Airport and a number of flight paths transit overhead the region. As a result of the concentration of transport infrastructure, disruptions caused by accidents, weather or other reasons can have a significant impact on local populations.

Several canals, including the Grand Union and the Kennet and Avon, cross the area. The main use of the canals and the River Thames is leisure.

The area contains major retail and leisure sites, in addition to tourist attractions of world renown such as Windsor Castle and Oxford, which attract large gatherings of local people and visitors.

The Thames Valley contains a number of military and other government sites.