Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has announced a government cash boost of £43.3 million for Cheshire & Warrington to help create jobs, support businesses and encourage growth.
Some of the locally-chosen projects set to benefit over the next few years include a new bus interchange in Crewe, a new highways access scheme and local road upgrading to improve infrastructure around Winsford Industrial Estate and a scheme for Warrington East Highway Improvements designed to unlock land for development around Birchwood. These projects, alongside others, will improve educational attainment, create jobs, build homes or improve infrastructure.
This latest award of Local Growth Funding is on top of £157.8 million of Growth Deals funding already awarded to Cheshire & Warrington. The total award could see over 17,000 jobs created, over 6,400 homes built and attract nearly £380 million in other investment over the next 10 years.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, said:
"As part of efforts to deliver an economy that works for everyone, the Government is equipping local people with the resources they need to drive forward local growth.
"That is why we’re giving £43.3 million new money to Cheshire & Warrington to give businesses the support and opportunities they need to achieve their potential – on top of the £157.8 million we have already awarded”.
Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy, said:
"Across the Northern Powerhouse local people will benefit from £556.1 million extra investment thanks to these growth deals.
"This is more government money directly invested into the Northern Powerhouse. It is further proof that we will back the people of the North with the resources they need to reach their full potential.”
Christine Gaskell, Chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said:
"This significant level of funding is great news for Cheshire and Warrington that will enable us to build on the successes of previous rounds of Growth Deal funding, which has supported the delivery of vital infrastructure projects to drive the area’s ambitions of creating a £50 billion economy by 2040.
"This valuable support from Government will fund a wide range of projects including opening up an important industrial site in Winsford, reducing congestion around the Cheshire Science Corridor Enterprise Zone in Birchwood and making improvements to the town centre in Crewe, as well as providing capital investment for our colleges.
Creating an economy that works for everyone
The £12 billion Local Growth Fund provides local leaders with the cash they need to support locally determined projects. Under the fund, England’s 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships – made up of council leaders and business representatives – bid for investments based on local priorities.
Bids are highly competitive and to be successful, Local Enterprise Partnerships need to work with partners to agree strong and accountable governance and put forward proposals that boost growth and bring in private sector funding.
£7.3 billion of the £12 billion Local Growth Fund has already been allocated to more than 1,000 projects across England – helping to build vital infrastructure, improve skills and create thousands of jobs.