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£2.84m investment package for the Heart of the South West

The Heart of the South West LEP is pleased to have secured a £2.84m funding package from Government for transport schemes in Somerset.   The funding is an addition to the recently agreed Growth Deal worth £270m.

The schemes will support the Hinkley Programme, a LEP initiative to capitalise on the construction of Hinkley Point C and the economic opportunities arising from it.   They include:

•       a new access to Taunton railway station from the Taunton Northern Distributor Road which is currently under construction;
•       enhancement of the forecourt at Bridgwater Railway station;
•       strengthening of the highway route leading to Hinkley Point C in order to make it fit for the increased traffic;
•       provision of a cycle route between Cannington and Combwich in order to facilitate cycle access to Hinkley.

Steve Hindley, Chairman of the Heart of the South West LEP, said:

“The construction of Hinkley Point C is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Heart of the South West area.   We want to make the most of it and use it to boost prosperity and generate thousands of opportunities for local people.

“We have been working with our partners for many months to make sure Hinkley delivers maximum possible benefit to the people and businesses of the Heart of the South West.   These improvements will help meet the transport demands of local businesses and connect people with training and employment opportunities.”

Councillor David Hall, Cabinet Member for Business and Inwards Investment, Somerset Council, said:

“This is great news for these towns and the county as a whole. Growth is hugely important, however, it’s critical that our infrastructure keeps pace so it can cater for the transport needs that come with it. This funding will make a significant contribution to that.”

The Department for Transport’s announcement can be found at  www.gov.uk/government/news/28-million-to-prepare-roads-and-rail-for-new-nuclear-power-station

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      David Ralph

      Chief Executive

      David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

      Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

      David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.