The ambitious merger of two colleges has gone to public consultation as plans move ahead.

Barnet and Southgate College is set to merge with Waltham Forest College in plans laid out in a new consultation document released yesterday (Wednesday, February 2).

All members of the public and stakeholders have been encouraged to comment on the proposals, with the consultation due to close on March 1.

Then, the colleges pledge to publish responses to the comments received.

It is hoped the merger will provide a wider base of resources for both colleges, allowing students access to a wider variety of specialist subjects in their further education.

READ MORE: Waltham Forest College could merge with Barnet and Southgate College - but what will this mean for students?

Chair of Barnet and Southgate College Ann Zinkin said: “This is a strategic merger of equals, driven by the needs of the learners and the industries and communities we serve.

“Our ambition is to create a new and vibrant college better able to meet the economic and social challenges that London, our local boroughs and the wider country face.

“This merger will create better opportunities for our learners, providing higher levels of resource and sustainable investment so that the best possible experience is offered to all our stakeholders.”

Current principal for Barnet and Southgate College has been designated as the principal of the resultant merged college.

He said: “Our size and financial strength will enable us to improve the range and quality of courses that we offer learners.

“We will be better placed to work with local, regional and national employers in creating training courses that meet the needs of our future workforce, including through apprenticeships.

“We want to hear from the communities we serve as we shape our plans for the future.

“I encourage all with an interest to visit one of our college websites, where they can download the consultation document and find details about how to respond.”

The consultation document can be read in full here.