Thousands of new jobs and new homes three years into City Deal

Across the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal area, people are already seeing changes where they live.

The City Deal has already helped to create more than 11,489 new jobs and to deliver more than 2,614 new homes.

Since the agreement was signed three years ago, nearly £46m of public and private sector capital has been invested across Preston and South Ribble, to help deliver these once-in-a-generation changes.

These latest figures are included in the annual monitoring report produced by the City Deal, which details progress so far and helps to inform and improve the delivery of the programme.

Jim Carter, Chair of City Deal and Lancashire Enterprise Partnership board member, said: “We are three years into the City Deal and we’re already seeing big changes across the area, for people who live and work here. We’ve set an ambitious target for ourselves and key parts are already being delivered.

“We want to help people to travel around the area for work, and create the homes where people and their families can live. We’re also growing the Lancashire economy, boosting local business and supporting the construction sector.”

The £434m City Deal will help to create more than 20,000 new private sector jobs by 2023, and see over 17,000 new homes built in Preston and South Ribble over the next 10 years.

The City Deal is an agreement between Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Significant progress has already been made on the City Deal’s major road projects. The Broughton Bypass is entering the final stages of construction, and planning applications could be decided later this year for the Penwortham Bypass and the Preston Western Distributor – a new road to connect the west side of Preston with a new junction on the M55.

Over the next three years it’s anticipated that millions of pounds of investment will be made in infrastructure schemes, supporting the completion of thousands of new homes as well as new commercial and leisure floor space, including developments in Preston City Centre and at Cuerden.

In addition to creating new homes and jobs, the City Deal’s key priorities include improved cycling and walking routes, sports pitches, parks and open space in North West Preston, and the Central Parks scheme in South Ribble. Health services and leisure facilities help to improve people’s quality of life and are an integral part of City Deal.

Schemes coming in the next twelve months include a new cycleway to improve Tom Benson Way, a new City Transport Plan and the development of masterplans for areas of the city, all with the aim of helping people to get around and access employment opportunities.

Commercial centres in Bamber Bridge and on New Hall Lane in Preston have also received a makeover to attract new businesses and new customers.

For more information follow @LancsCityDeal on twitter. Find out more about the work of City Deal at www.lancashirelep.co.uk/city-deal.aspx.