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Cumbria Infrastructure Plan May 2016 2 Cumbria Infrastructure Plan Contents Foreword 5 Executive Summary 7 Introduction 11 Cumbria Today 13 Economy 13 Environment 14 Spatial Development 15 Growth Context 17 Investment Projects 18 Infrastructure Priorities 21 Current Constraints 21 Existing Investment 27 Future Priorities 28 Funding Sources and Scheme Delivery 37 Appendix 1 - Infrastructure Plan Development 41 Appendix 2 – Local Issues 43 Appendix 3 – Strategic Employment and Housing Sites 47 Cumbria Infrastructure Plan 3 4 Cumbria Infrastructure Plan Foreword Infrastructure has a crucial role in enhancing and supporting economic growth by attracting visitors, workers and investment to Cumbria. The county is facing unprecedented levels of inward investment and economic growth over the next ffteen years. Maximising this growth opportunity needs signifcant investment in Cumbria’s infrastructure. We recognise the need to plan strategically and prioritise investment and resources. As such, we are pleased to introduce Cumbria’s Infrastructure Plan. This sets out the strategic infrastructure requirements that are necessary to unlock economic growth. We would like to thank the groups and individuals who have participated in and contributed to the Plan’s development including members of the business community and our public sector partners. Cumbria LEP Cumbria Infrastructure Plan 5 6 Cumbria Infrastructure Plan Executive Summary Purpose to ensure the potential of this investment can be realised, improved journey speeds, capacity and The Cumbria Infrastructure Plan is a strategic reliability are vital. Here there is a real need for document that prioritises the infrastructure needed prioritised investment to increase the capacity of the to facilitate economic growth and maximise rail network and in relation to road connections east opportunities from large scale projects over the and west of the M6. There is also the potential for next ffteen years. The Infrastructure Plan supports improved connectivity via investment in the county’s the delivery of key infrastructure improvements to ports and opportunities to maximise Carlisle meet the priorities set out in the Cumbria Strategic Airport’s potential for both passengers and freight. Economic Plan. New transport infrastructure will allow the effcient and sustainable movement of people, goods, Supporting UK growth / Delivering materials and plant. At the same time utilities and communication infrastructure are needed to support good value growth as well as employment sites and premises, and to capture new investment and supply chain Cumbria presents a unique offer of growth potential opportunities. All of this should sit alongside and strong project pipeline totalling over £25 complementary investment in housing, social billion. Many of the planned investment projects infrastructure, people and skills to ensure a longer are critical to the future prosperity of the UK and term legacy is achieved. will deliver economic, energy and defence policy objectives at the national and local level. Examples include the Moorside nuclear new build, BAE Local growth / Future legacy Systems ‘Successor’ programme and on-going This Infrastructure Plan is critical to delivering decommissioning activity at Sellafeld. and building upon the priorities outlined within These and other projects have the potential to the Cumbria Strategic Economic Plan (SEP). This create over 30,000 additional jobs and an additional is achieved by prioritising infrastructure that can estimated £1.3 billion (13% above baseline unlock key investments and provide the conditions projections) of economic output per year by 2030. for growth of the existing business base. These Timely investment in the right infrastructure is crucial improvements are essential to improving access to to maximising Cumbria’s and the UK’s growth markets, travel to work and learning, the movement potential and the delivery of the of freight and goods, and opportunities for supply Northern Powerhouse. chain development. Existing infrastructure / New investment The scale of Cumbria’s future population, housing and employment growth is a central consideration Infrastructure capacity issues already exist in in the plan and a driver of the level of infrastructure Cumbria. Road and rail connections away from investment needed. the M6 and West Coast Mainline routes are characterised by low travel speeds and a lack The underlying analysis identifes signifcant of resilience. The dispersed nature of Cumbria’s population growth with substantial numbers population and the county’s topography further of additional jobs and homes required. This emphasise the importance of the transport network evidence of growth and the demand from future to growth and development. investment allied with existing constraints and gaps in infrastructure provides a sound basis and Future investment projects will create signifcant justifcation for future investment and realisation of a pressure on Cumbria’s transport network meaning longer term legacy. Cumbria Infrastructure Plan 7 Balancing demands / Future resilience Infrastructure priorities The plan highlights the importance of balancing the The following infrastructure priorities are identifed demands for infrastructure with the need to protect in the plan. These represent new investment over Cumbria’s valuable natural landscape, a key driver and above existing Growth Fund priorities. The for Cumbria’s strong tourism sector. As such, the projects are those considered to have the greatest projects identifed in this Infrastructure Plan will be potential to address Cumbria’s infrastructure needs, brought forward in a manner that maintains and contribute to Cumbria LEP’s strategic objectives, the protects Cumbria’s environment whilst ensuring the Government’s productivity agenda and Northern county’s growth potential can be realised through Powerhouse initiative. These are summarised in the improvements to the county’s roads, rail, broadband table opposite. and telecommunications network. Flood risk is an important consideration for Cumbria, with the December 2015 food events causing considerable damage and disruption and further emphasising the importance of timely and appropriate investment. Flood defence and alleviation schemes are important to safeguard new and existing employment and housing land, and to restore investor and visitor confdence. New infrastructure will need to be delivered, with improved resilience a foremost consideration. 8 Cumbria Infrastructure Plan Short Term Priorities Medium / Long Term Priorities1 Critical • Cumbrian Coastal Railway Enhancements • Carlisle Southern Link Road • A595 Corridor Enhancements • A590 Road Enhancements • Flood Resilience and Mitigation • A66 Road Enhancements • Connecting Cumbria Phase 3: 4G and • Ulverston Bypass Broadband Connectivity • Whitehaven Relief Route • Port of Workington Improvements Important • Carlisle Station and Surrounding Area • Carlisle Airport Enhancements • Port of Barrow Improvements • Rail Station Improvements • Town Centre Transport Improvements • Optimising Connectivity In addition to the priorities outlined above, the Infrastructure Plan highlights the need for partner support and delivery including wider investment in the rail and road network. Delivery Flexibility The Infrastructure Plan identifes a number of The identifcation and prioritisation of schemes was funding sources that will be important in taking based on an assessment of the current opportunities forward the priorities. These include a potential and issues faced by the county. Should a project not Devolution Deal for Cumbria, Growth Deal, the be prioritised, it does not mean that it would not be Growing Places Fund and European Structural prioritised through further future reviews in light of Investment Funds. Front loading of infrastructure is new or changing circumstances. required so that private sector investment decisions for contributions to infrastructure delivery do not cause delays to projects. The Plan also emphasises the importance of government agencies to play an active role in realising investment. Infrastructure priorities will be progressed through the development of business cases for priority projects. Cumbria LEP will use the information contained within the Cumbria Infrastructure Plan to bid for and secure funding for the essential infrastructure required to support sustainable growth. 1 Based on current prioritisation and subject to change Cumbria Infrastructure Plan 9 10 Cumbria Infrastructure Plan Introduction The Cumbria Infrastructure Plan has been developed The output from this plan is a prioritised list of to identify the infrastructure investment required to infrastructure needs in Cumbria. The scale of these unlock additional economic growth for the UK and needs, combined with the evidence presented Cumbria. This plan refects the diversity and scale of in this document provides the case for increased opportunity in Cumbria and the need for essential infrastructure investment. It also demonstrates and timely investment in transport, employment, the role that Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership telecommunications and food play in co-ordinating county wide infrastructure defence infrastructure. delivery and making the case to UK Government for infrastructure investment that benefts Cumbria and The scale of investment required is signifcant and the UK economy. refects the level of ambition and opportunity within the county. This investment is central to delivering
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