Six projects share in Solent Freeport funding
Solent Freeport has invested £6.7 million in seed capital funding to support six projects in the UK’s south coast. Brian Johnson, Solent Freeport chair, say the funding announcement is an illustration of the organisation’s ambitious plans to attract millions of pounds of inward investment, and create thousands jobs for the population of the wider Solent region.
He believes the funding will enable the region to capitalise on its strengths and ensure the geographic advantage of the region is maximised for UK plc. A strong track record of international trade through the Solent already evidences its credentials.
The purpose of the funding is to address infrastructure gaps in freeport locations and create the right physical conditions to encourage private sector investment.
It is the latest tranche of awards from the £25 million in funding which is provided by the government to each of England’s eight freeports.
“National seed capital funding is vital to support proposals and developments which in turn bring further growth an investment into the region,” says Johnson.
“Enhancing strategic infrastructure within the Solent Freeport area will enable key partner organisations to further optimise their operations and help boost our ongoing plans to deliver long-term economic prosperity.
“We take our role in approving this significant funding very seriously as it is public money we are distributing. Business cases for the six latest projects have been thoroughly scrutinised and investigated to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.”
Solent Freeport projects include:
Portsmouth International Port – construction of a Freeports Customs Zone adjacent to the Border Control Point (BCP) building, along with the demolition of the Sydenham building and an upgrade of the Rudmore Square junction to create a right-hand turn.
Support towards the technical design and planning application for Navigator Quarter, a 112-acre tax site adjacent to Southampton Airport which will provide research, manufacturing and industrial facilities.
Redbridge investment site to deliver an increase in the number of containers transported by rail, build an HGV welfare facility, generate additional HGV lane capacity and create the infrastructure for electric HGVs.
Support for the development of the outline business case by Hampshire County Council for A326 improvements in the Totton and Dibden areas.
Investment in enabling works to facilitate commercial development at Dunsbury Park, industrial and manufacturing business park at Havant.
Marchwood Port investment to fund enabling works including costs associated with demolition, earthworks, biodiversity net gain, Section 278 and highways, local highways improvements and main gate security and services.
The main customs sites are Solent Gateway on Southampton Water and Portsmouth International Port.
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