£12m recovery fund to boost bridge plan - The Worcester Observer

£12m recovery fund to boost bridge plan

Worcester Editorial 5th Aug, 2020   0

MAJOR building and infrastructure projects in Worcester have been handed a boost after Worcestershire scooped a total of £12m in a Government cash giveaway to aid the county’s recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.

Almost £5m of the cash will be spent in Worcester alone on projects such as investment into cutting edge broadband for businesses in the heart of the city centre.

A total of £850,000 will be put towards the Worcester Shrub Hill Quarter and Masterplan while £1m will be earmarked towards to the cost of the proposed Kepax Bridge across the River Severn.

The programme will also support future skills in the county through redevelopment of the Severn Campus at the University of Worcester to create the infrastructure for extra nursing and health students in a new health, wellbeing and inclusive sport venue for the city.




A new technology park on Malvern Hills Science Park will be backed with £1.85m of the £12m allocated for the county while the Tenbury flood defence scheme, which will protect 80 homes and 80 businesses, will get an extra £500,000 on top of the £4.9m confirmed by Environment Secretary George Eustice last month.

The complete project list will follow the Government’s aim to support the country’s economic recovery by creating new jobs, reducing carbon emissions, building new houses and infrastructure projects and supporting the development of future talent.


Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Worcestershire is a key economy within the Midlands and this support from Government further emphasises that.

“We are looking forward to working with our partners across the county on these projects as we continue Worcestershire’s development towards our vision of a connected, creative, dynamic economy for all.”

The 12 projects in Worcestershire are among more than 300 successful schemes in England to receive a share of the £900m Getting Building Fund, which was announced by the Prime Minister in June.

City council leader Coun Marc Bayliss welcomed the cash boost for the proposed Kepax Bridge and said it would be a ‘significant addition’ to the city.

“The bridge would create a new east to west route across the city, reduce levels of congestion and improve both safety and air quality,” he said.

“It would also provide people with new ways of exploring and enjoying Worcester’s greatest natural asset, the River Severn.”

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