THE South East England Development Agency today set out as its top priority to reverse "chronic under-investment" in people, transport links and cutting edge business communications.

It unveiled plans to encourage a new culture of life-long training among the workforce in the South, supported by employers and in partnership with the government, to raise achievement and produce world class managers.

Central to the proposals is a commitment to improve transport links, including pressure for better access between Southampton and Portsmouth to the Channel tunnel.

Alongside physical infrastructure, Seeda said the South East must have better electronic communications and improved support services to attract and retain dynamic and competitive businesses.

The priorities are set out in Seeda's economic strategy, which was published by its chairman Alan Willett today after a formal process of consultation that began in July.

The document says the South East has the potential to be a world class region in terms of prosperity, alleviating deprivation and improving quality of life with a better environment - but stresses it has lost ground with 22 European regions performing better.

It says: "Failure to make the necessary investment in infrastructure will shortly begin to have a cumulative and catastrophic impact in the region's economy, communities and the environment."

The Isle of Wight would be one of four priority areas for regeneration, with the Thames gateway, Sussex coast and former Kent coalfield.

The strategy, which must be presented for approval, amendment or further consultation to John Prescott, secretary of state for the environment, transport and the regions, hinges on seven separate but linked Seeda programmes.

development: widen access to the internet via links to South East websites, create enterprise hubs around research centres such as Southampton University or the Defence Research Agency at Farnborough.

Clusters of businesses would also be created, in the Southampton area in sectors such as marine technology, defence and aerospace, environmental technology and financial services, each with a captain of industry to champion them and a secondee at Seeda.

learning: promote a culture of life-long learning with a marketing campaign, engage employers, establish a regional skills research unit and develop centres of excellence;

workforce: regional partnerships with employers and trades unions, research into best practice and an early warning system for vulnerable sectors of employment;

transport: maximise benefits of links with London but also improve access by road and rail to Southampton port and airport;

environment: develop the region's economy in a way that will not damage the environment and use highest standards of building and urban design;

communities: support regeneration, encourage the voluntary sector and help to channel investment into areas that need it most;

rural economy: provide quality advice and training to rural firms, improve transport in the countryside, encourage land management that benefits the environment with economic and social benefits.

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