A host of infrastructure projects across the South West are highlighted in a new government strategy which Prime Minister Boris Johnson hopes will spark a UK “renaissance”.
The 100-page strategy, entitled ‘Fairer, faster, greener’, outlines the government’s long-term vision for infrastructure investment, including a series of transport, regeneration, housing and flood prevention schemes.
The strategy, which includes £27billion of public funding next year, hopes to create wealth and thousands of jobs to repair some of the scars from the pandemic
Projects that will directly benefit Swindon include the Towns Fund, which will see Swindon become one of 100 towns that could receive up to £25million of Government funding. The money forms part of a £3.6billion fund for towns with proud industrial and economic heritage that have previously felt left behind or overlooked by central government.
In addition to this Swindon is to receive £18.9million for a New Eastern Villages Southern Connector Road, will provide a link between the New Eastern Villages (NEV) and Commonhead roundabout, near the Great Western Hospital. In total, 7 projects will benefit from £526million via the Housing Infrastructure Fund to unlock thousands of new homes
Swindon residents will also benefit from the dualling of the A417 ‘Missing Link’ in Gloucestershire. The Missing Link causes congestion and tailbacks, meaning many motorists divert to near-by routes, which are not suitable to accommodate such traffic and cause problems for those communities.
These are just some of the projects underway in the South West, which also include:
• Extra funding for local transport in the West of England area (covering Bristol, Bath and and South Gloucestershire councils), as part of a wider £4.2billion five-year
• Further support for the Western Gateway, which links the West of England with South Wales, and other pan-regional partnerships as the government “recognises the role they play in championing investment and opportunity”
• A record £27.5billion investment in strategic roads will include “building a two-mile tunnel on the A303 at Stonehenge to speed up journeys and enhance the World Heritage Site”
• Development funding to progress seven other rail schemes, including the opening of stations in Bristol and Devizes and the boosting of services in Cirencester, Mid Cornwall, and Purbeck
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “For decade after decade, governments of every political stripe have failed to invest enough in the UK’s regions and nations. It is one of the reasons why the quality of our national infrastructure has fallen behind that of other countries. This strategy will change that.
“In almost my first words as Prime Minister, I promised to unite our country by physically and literally renewing the ties that bind us together. I promised to unleash the productive power not just of London and the South East, but of every corner of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“I want to bring hope and opportunity for each part of the UK. Levelling up is my government’s core purpose. This document sets out our plan for a renaissance, backed by hundreds of billions of pounds of public and private investment. We will significantly shift spending to the regions and nations of the UK.
“On our major A roads and motorways, two-thirds of our upgrades are outside south-eastern England, including dualling the A303 to the South West and completing the first trans-Pennine dual carriageway in 50 years. We will build that infrastructure and redress long-standing inequalities, particularly in transport, between different parts of the UK.”
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and South Swindon MP Robert Buckland said: “We are very pleased to see the Prime Minister continue to deliver on his commitment to levelling up across the country,. We have always lobbied for funding for Swindon by with Ministers, so are delighted to see this work has paid off. This funding and support will drive projects that will be of huge benefit to Swindon – such as the Towns Fund and the New Eastern Villages Southern Connector Road.”
