Three infrastructure schemes to kick-start the region's economy receive full funding commitments at Humber LEP Board

The Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Board has committed funding totalling £9.5m to three schemes across Hull and East Yorkshire designed to stimulate the Humber’s economy over the next 18 months.

The project commitments were made at the Humber LEP’s Board meeting on Friday, September 18th .

The LEP Board had previously agreed to add the list of projects to the Getting Building Fund programme with in-principle funding allocations, subject to full business case approval.

The business case for each project has now been developed and assessed to make sure the schemes provide value for money and are deliverable in the timescale and parameters set out by the Government.

The three infrastructure projects are being supported by Humber LEP’s £13.4m allocation of the Getting Building Fund – part of the Government’s ‘New Deal’ programme in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdown. They will be managed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council.

These schemes will each contribute to the local economic recovery – supporting the creation of new sustainable jobs, the resilience and sustainability of the local transport network, and accelerating the development of new homes. They meet the Government’s aim of a green recovery – which is in line with the Humber’s aims to become net-zero by 2040.

The Humber LEP’s allocation of the Getting Building Fund will unlock a total of £192.86m investment in the area altogether.

The three schemes are:

Hull and East Yorkshire Highways Resilience Programme (£2m): This programme will support road maintenance schemes in Hull and East Yorkshire, in the East Riding focusing on repairs to A-roads, while in Hull the project will support road repairs in Hull before major construction begins on the £355m A63 Castle Street scheme.

Delivering Housing Growth Programme - Ings and Wawne 2 – (£4.8m): A new spine road and electrics in Ings could see a further 310 homes built on location sooner than expected, while in Wawne a further 850 homes could be built sooner than expected with the installation of a new spine road and drainage, adding to existing new homes currently being built on both sites.

Hull & East Yorkshire Cycle Route Delivery Programme - Phase 1 (£2.7m): A programme of cycle infrastructure upgrade and provision of new cycle facilities which will focus on provision in Hull and East Riding along Beverley Road (A1079) and the route from Cottingham to the City Centre.

Three more schemes supporting business in the region are set to be confirmed shortly – the Raise Business Centre and Innovation Hub (£1m), the Managed Workspace Programme A – Grovehill (£0.5m): and the Managed Workspace Programme B – BeSpoke Business Resource Centre and Boulevard 4 (£0.5m).

The £1.5m Growing Hull and East Yorkshire programme, which offers grants to SMEs that are looking to grow and create jobs, was formally approved in August and is now receiving applications. To find out more visit: https://www.humberlep.org/business/funding/growing-hull-east-yorkshire-businessinvestment-grants/

Stephen Parnaby OBE, Chair of the Humber LEP, said: “I am delighted the Humber LEP Board has committed funding to these three important projects, which will support the region’s businesses, see new homes built, improve our roads and encourage more people to cycle.

“All these projects will not only provide new jobs and safeguard existing jobs, but will also help support the Humber’s mission to become net-zero by 2040. Though the 18- month turnaround for delivering these projects is tight, on completion they will provide lasting benefits for those living and working on the north bank of the Humber.”

Councillor Richard Burton, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council welcomed the funding news and said: "I'm delighted the Humber LEP has committed to funding these diverse projects which will really help stimulate and grow the Humber economy and look forward to working with them as well as Hull City Council.

"“Supporting local construction is vitally important to our local economy and will help our region to recover and thrive as well as providing real and tangible benefits for motorists, cyclists and the travelling public by improving our highway and cycling infrastructure

.” Councillor Stephen Brady, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “We are delighted that this funding has been secured and in order to successfully recover from this pandemic, we need to ensure our city has reliable and extensive transport connections. For this to work, we need reliable rail and road links now, more than ever.

“Improving transport connections is vitally important. A sustainable and strategic transport network not only builds an accessible city for everyone, but can support the region’s growth as we work towards supporting our residents and businesses to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.”