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Proposed M55 Link Road Given Go Ahead With £5.79 Million Cash Boost

Ten major development schemes in Lancashire, including the proposed M55 Link Road, have been given cash backing and the government go-ahead from the £34.1m awarded to the county through the Getting Building Fund. This Link Road is the delayed project connecting the motorway at the Whitehills roundabout with Cypress Point at Ansdell.  This development will receive £5.79 million pounds from the fund.

The Getting Building Fund is part of a national drive to minimise the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and deliver jobs and green recovery.

Steve Fogg, who chairs the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership said securing the funding for the ten projects was “fantastic news” for the county.

He said: “Money received from this fund will be invested in projects which will create jobs and invest in much needed infrastructure improvements, helping the county recover and bounce back quicker from the pandemic.”

The chosen schemes are ‘shovel-ready’ and have demonstrated the ability to “accelerate growth and create employment”.  Other schemes in the area being funded include:

  • Houndshill Extension Scheme, Blackpool (£5m)
  • Abingdon Street Market Acquisition and Rejuvenation, Blackpool (£3.63m)
  • Low Carbon Manufacturing Building Demonstrator (AMRC), South Ribble and Ribble Valley (£2.5m)
  • Project Neptune, Fleetwood (£4.03m)
  • Hillhouse Enterprise Zone, Wyre (£0.5m)

Steve Fogg added,  ‘’Working closely with all Lancashire local authorities, Sarah Kemp, the chief executive of the LEP and her team, have over the past couple of weeks identified a final list of projects across the county which can start almost immediately, be completed within 18 months and which can deliver jobs and green recovery.  The fact that Lancashire has managed to secure a significant amount of funding is testament to the collaborative working between the LEP and its partners to work together to help protect Lancashire’s businesses and the livelihoods of our residents.’

He added, ‘Each day we are hearing of failing businesses and people losing their jobs.  The projects which have secured the funding are expected to create over 1,500 jobs for the county, as well as enabling our businesses to become more competitive and take advantage of the opportunities arising from new technologies.  This a really positive start for the county as we begin our economic recovery in the ‘new normal’ and I am hoping this will be the first of a number of support interventions which we will secure for Lancashire.’

 

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