A £158 million deal that will pave the way for up to 12,000 jobs and 5,000 new homes for Cheshire and Warrington – plus the long awaited high level bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal at Warrington – has been signed.
Minister for Universities, Science and Cities Greg Clark formally signed the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Deal at Ellesmere Port’
The deal will support world-class scientific research and innovation across Cheshire and Warrington as well as providing significantly improved transport infrastructure.
Local MPs and businesses joined the Local Enterprise Partnership board to take part in the signing ceremony at Thornton Science Park.
The world-class research facility on a former Shell site will be one of the beneficiaries of the deal, receiving £6.8m of investment for an Energy Demonstrator as well as a share of £31m announced in the Autumn Statement for an Energy Security and Innovation Observing System.
Construction of the high level bridge crossing the Manchester Ship Canal from the A56 Chester Road will support Atlantic Gateway, providing considerable traffic relief immediately south of Warrington town centre.
Mr Clark said: “The Cheshire and Warrington Growth Deal is a vital part of the Government’s long-term economic plan for this area – putting real power in the hands of local councils and businesses to drive growth and job creation for years into the future.
“The economic potential in Cheshire and Warrington is among the most exciting and vibrant in the country. The projects to invest in the science corridor, improve local transport infrastructure and boost skills in engineering will ensure that potential is met.”
Christine Gaskell, chairman of the Local Enterprise Partnership said the deal would help deliver the new jobs, housing and infrastructure needed to transform the economy of Cheshire and Warrington, cementing the area integral role in the continuing development of the “Northern Powerhouse.”
Professor Tim Wheeler, vice-chancellor of the University of Chester, said: “This is a really exciting time for Cheshire and we are very pleased to welcome the Minister to Thornton Science Park to see the University of Chester’s new world-class research facility.”
Mr Clark also visited the Science and Technology Facilities Council Daresbury Laboratory, near Warrington.
He saw how recent investment in science is enabling STFC to work directly with industry and businesses to develop new products, stimulate growth and create jobs.
And he inspected STFC’s newest accelerator technology, VELA, designed to enable industry to speed up the development of prototypes into market ready products.
Pictures: Right: Greg Clark and Christine Gaskell sign the growth deal. Top: Mr Clark with Professor Susan Smith, head of Daresbury Laboratory, Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans and Dr John Chan, senior engineering director, Waters Corporation.
