07 April 2009
Funding go-ahead for Barrow link road
Funding of £3 million has been granted by the Northwest Regional
Development Agency (NWDA) for new road infrastructure to support
the development of key employment sites in Barrow-in-Furness.
The Phase 2 Link Road, between the A590 North Road and A5087
Hindpool Road,
is the final piece of the puzzle in a series of highway
improvements which are essential to bring forward the
£200million mixed residential, business and leisure development at
The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness.
The entire Link Road scheme is designed to accommodate increased
traffic to the Waterfront site and reduce planning constraints
which would impact upon the scheme’s future potential developers
and investors
It will also significantly improve access between existing
employment sites and the town centre, easing traffic congestion and
allowing existing businesses to grow and develop.
Funding from the NWDA will allow works to start imminently on
Phase 2 and will complete the final element of the Link Road
project of highway improvements amounting to £9.4million with other
contributions from the County Council and private sector
Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Economic Development, at the
NWDA, said: “The Waterfront scheme is a priority project for Barrow
and for the NWDA. This road will facilitate development of the
Waterfront scheme which will act as a catalyst for the physical and
economic regeneration of the area.
“An improved infrastructure will make the site attractive for
private sector investors which will result in new jobs and a
significant boost to the existing economy.”
The Link Road Phase 2 will:
• Create 280 metres of new road including a new roundabout
extending from North Road tying into Phase I and onto Hindpool
Road.
• Transform 0.75 hectare of brownfield land (about the size of
a football pitch).
• Deliver better infrastructure around the A5087 and
A590.
• Support the regeneration of the entire town through
encouraging new employment development.
Councillor Alan Clark, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member
for highways, said:
“I’m delighted NWDA have granted this funding as the Link Road
Phase 2 is a vital part of the Waterfront Barrow Master Plan.
“The road will be a boost for existing businesses and will attract
further investment to the town.”
The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness development is led by West
Lakes Renaissance– the Urban Regeneration Company for Furness and
West Cumbria.
Peter Thompson, Senior Development Manager for West Lakes
Renaissance, said: "The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness is the most
important development in the town since the days of Ramsden more
than a century ago, so it is vital the right transport links are in
place.
“While the Waterfront Business Park will go some way to meeting
the growing demand for business space in the town; Barrow Marina
Village will improve the quality and choice of housing and provide
visitors with the high standard of facilities they expect in
today’s competitive tourism market.
“Easy access by road will be key to achieving our ambitions for
the Waterfront and fuel further opportunities for business across
the entire town. Along with access roads to the Waterfront site and
improvements already carried out in the town and A590, the message
is being sent out that Barrow is open for business.”
Barrow District Council said:
“This road is strategically important to the town and the council
is pleased to have secured this important investment in the
infrastructure required to ensure the regeneration of Barrow
continues into the future.”
Construction of the road is planned to start in June and end in
December.
Editors Notes
The new road will improve access to the whole Waterfront
Barrow-in-Furness development which includes Waterfront Business
Park – which will provide much needed accommodation for a wide
range of companies, helping to create around 1,500 new jobs in the
process; and Barrow Marina Village – which is to comprise 650 new
homes, a hotel, leisure facilities, restaurants and bars; together
with a new 350-berth marina, watersports centre and wetland nature
reserve.
For further information please contact Sam Shale, Press Officer, on
01925 400264 or 07717 427872 or sam.shale@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view all press releases visit us
at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life