THE award has been made after Doncaster Council and its private sector partners made a successful bid under the government’s new Regional Growth Fund. The Council was just one of fifty organisations to have been awarded funding at this stage and the grant is the largest given to any local authority in the country.
As a result, up to 24,000 jobs could be created in South Yorkshire and the award will help fund a number of building and redevelopment programmes that will act as a major boost to the region’s economy.
Projects that will be funded include continued development of Robin Hood airport, a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange adjacent to Juntion 3 of the M18 and the reclamation of Rossington Colliery.
Peter Dale, Doncaster Council's Director of Regeneration and Environment, said: "This is tremendous news for Doncaster as this Gateway has the potential to deliver approaching 24,000 jobs for both Doncaster and surrounding area.”
He continued: "It has been a fantastic effort from the FARRRS team and the Transport and Accessibility Section to have beaten off many excellent projects to secure the full value of our bid. The fact that we have received double the average successful bid of £9million is an achievement we all should be proud of and clearly demonstrates the confidence the Government has in Doncaster to deliver such an important scheme.”
A planning application for the Freight Interchange, which is also being funded by private sector contributions, is expected to be submitted by the end of the year with the scheme estimated to start in summer 2012.
The Government's offer is conditional on demonstrating that the project's business case is sound, that delivery risks are manageable and that private sector match funding can be secured. However, it is not anticipated that these will present any particular issues and once the requirements are complete, it is hoped that a final offer will be made by the Government.
The Labour-controlled council said it expected as many as 24,000 jobs to be created in the private sector by 2030 as a result of the project and would include roles for workers in civil engineering, building, warehousing and air freight.
Howard Gannaway, Chief Executive at Doncaster Chamber, said: "This is remarkably good news for Doncaster and the Sheffield City Region; at a time when economic growth is showing signs of faltering this will provide a welcome tonic for local businesses. Robin Hood Airport is a key strategic asset for the region; the green light for the Sheffield City Region Gateway project will open the airport up for future route and freight opportunities which will, in turn, support international trade, inward investment, and the development of key sectors around the City Region such as advanced manufacturing.
Craig Richmond, CEO Peel Airports Ltd, commented: "This is tremendous news and will help to bring this vital link between the motorway network and the airport one step nearer and benefiting the future potential for growth in both passenger and freight services at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. This scheme is important not only for the future of the airport but also for the Doncaster Sheffield Airport Growth Corridor and should produce thousands of jobs."
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