Sheffield City Region inundated with funding bids for capital projects costing over £630m

A range of capital projects costing more than £630m have been put forward in response to a call for funding bids by Sheffield City Region (SCR).

This announcement follows on from the city region inviting organisations to bid for funds to enable the development of new transport and infrastructure projects.

A total of 52 bids were received in response to the “open call”, and these will now be assessed for their suitability in receiving funds from the Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF).

The news came at a meeting of the SCR Combined Authority (CA) on Monday 11th December at which Councillor Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, was appointed the new chairman of the CA.

Cllr Read said: “This is an exciting time for Sheffield City Region and it is a privilege to take up the position of chairman of the Combined Authority.

“I am also pleased to see so many bids have been submitted in response to the open call. The ‘let’s get it done’ work-ethic in Sheffield City Region harnesses drive and ambition.

“At SCR, we deliver. We keep our promises and get things done in an honest, no-nonsense way. This is helping us to build a truly competitive centre of business excellence. I look forward to seeing the best of these schemes coming through to fruition.”

Cllr Read replaces Sir Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, as chairman of the CA.

The response to the open call for funding was described as “exceptional” by officers from the SCR executive at yesterday’s meeting. The schemes are together asking for a total of £207m from SCRIF, to enable schemes costing £630m to go ahead.

The SCRIF fund is made up of national Local Growth Fund resources, part of the Government’s continued investment in the Northern Powerhouse.

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