East Sussex welcomes £46million boost to local economy

Cllr Keith GlazierECONOMIC growth in East Sussex is to get a boost thanks to Government funding of £46million.

The ‘Growth Deal’ will help the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP) deliver its seven year plan to generate 200,000 private sector jobs, 100,000 new homes and transform the transport infrastructure across the south east.

The SE LEP deal brings national and local investment together and includes commitments to increase the pace of housing construction; coordinate local and national business support services; establish a new property investment fund; and deliver a considerable programme of local transport initiatives. Crucially, the Growth Deal also secures a commitment from the Government to boost local growth by improving our national transport links.

In East Sussex, the following projects have been prioritised in the first year;

• The North Bexhill Access Road
• Improved flood defences at Newhaven
• A Hailsham/Polegate/Eastbourne sustainable transport corridor package
• An Eastbourne & South Wealden local sustainable transport walking and cycling package

Initially £17million will be invested in East Sussex during 2015/16 for projects to improve the local transport network. This will be followed by a further £19million for transport improvements at the A22/A27 junction and the Queensway gateway road.

As part of the overall funding, Newhaven is set to benefit from a £10m for their Port Access road achieved through the Coast 2 Capital Growth Deal.

“Today’s announcement of a Growth Deal between the Government and SE LEP demonstrates Ministers’ confidence in our plans and reinforces our own ambitions for both East Sussex and the whole South East region,” said Cllr Keith Glazier, leader of East Sussex County Council.

“The Growth Deal will provide a genuine boost to our economy, and our local delivery partnerships, driven by businesses, local councils, our universities and other key partners, will ensure maximum impact and value for money.”

The Government is establishing Growth Deals with each of the 39 LEPs in England, funded from the national Local Growth Fund (LGF). Funding will be available to invest locally from April 2015.

The funding for East Sussex projects is part of a £443 million package for the SE LEP to boost growth across East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock.