Member Article

Cheshire and Warrington local economy gets £15.13 million boost

The Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has agreed an expansion to its growth deal with the Government which will see an extra £15.13 million invested in Cheshire & Warrington between 2016 and 2021.

This is in addition to the £142.7 million of funding committed by the Government on 7 July 2014.

Over the lifetime of its deal (2015-2021) the Cheshire and Warrington LEP estimates that up to 12000 new jobs could be created, 5000 new homes built and that it has the potential to generate £280 million public and private investment.

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Mike Jones, said: “I am delighted that our work, with partners including the Ellesmere Port Development Board, has been recognised by Government and will act as a catalyst for regeneration in the centre of Ellesmere Port.

“As we develop our ideas I look forward to Ellesmere Port being a priority for the Council and initiating conversations with the local community to ensure that their valued opinions are included and their needs are met as work progresses.

“This is a huge vote of confidence in this council’s ability to deliver this kind of project – working closely with partners across the board to deliver regeneration benefits to Ellesmere Port and indeed the whole borough.”

Councillor Terry O’Neill, leader, Warrington Borough Council said: “Warrington Borough Council has very ambitious regeneration plans which are set out in Warrington’s framework for growth, Warrington Means Business, which was adopted in 2013.

“Warrington Waterfront is a major initiative in our plan and will create 2000 new homes and 2000 new jobs close to the heart of the Town.

“We’ve already been successful in gaining funding for the first phase of the Waterfront’s infrastructure -to build a new bridge from Chester Road into Centre Park over the Mersey.

“We are in discussions with Government to deliver our ambitious plans and hopefully funding will be provided for a new high level bridge over the ship canal.

“This will not only open up the Waterfront area for new jobs and homes, but will also provide a lasting solution to Warrington’s most pressing congestion issue.

“The Council has been working hard to achieve this and I’m pleased that at long last we are moving toward achieving our goal”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .