NWDA grants funding for Barrow link road
North West Development Agency has granted funding of £3m for new road infrastructure to support the development of key employment sites in Barrow-in-Furness.
The phase 2 link road, located between the A590 North Road and A5087 Hindpool Road, is the final stage in a series of highway improvements essential to bringing forward the £200m mixed residential, business and leisure development at Waterfront Business Park within the town.
Mark Hughes, executive director of economic development at NWDA, said: "The Waterfront scheme is a priority project for Barrow and for the NWDA. This road will facilitate development of the Waterfront scheme which will act as a catalyst for the physical and economic regeneration of the area.
"An improved infrastructure will make the site attractive for private sector investors which will result in new jobs and a significant boost to the existing economy."
Phase 2 of the link road will:
- Create 280 metres of new road including a new roundabout extending from North Road tying into phase 1 and onto Hindpool Road
- Transform 0.75 hectare of brownfield land
- Deliver better infrastructure around the A5087 and A590
- Support the regeneration of the entire town through encouraging new employment development
The Waterfront Business Park development is led by urban regeneration company for Furness and West Cumbria, West Lakes Renaissance.
Peter Thompson, senior development manager for West Lakes, said: "While the Waterfront Business Park will go some way to meeting the growing demand for business space in the town; Barrow Marina Village will improve the quality and choice of housing and provide visitors with the high standard of facilities they expect in today's competitive tourism market.
"Easy access by road will be key to achieving our ambitions for the Waterfront and fuel further opportunities for business across the entire town. Along with access roads to the Waterfront site and improvements already carried out in the town and A590, the message is being sent out that Barrow is open for business."
Funding from the NWDA will allow works to start imminently on phase 2 and will complete the final element of the Link Road project of highway improvements amounting to £9.4m with other contributions from Cumbria County Council and private sector.
Construction of the road is planned to start in June and end in December.
