Massive programme of investment to transform town

Ten projects are being developed as part of a major investment programme which will continue the transformation of Scunthorpe.

Detailed studies will be pulled together with cash from the Government’s Towns Fund. The projects are expected to create hundreds of jobs, improve peoples’ health and wellbeing and create stronger communities.

The proposals represent the largest investment programme in Scunthorpe for generations. Included is:

• An advanced manufacturing park across 60 acres of land creating hundreds of highly-skilled advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs by attracting companies from across the globe to locate in Scunthorpe.
• Taking forward proposals for a new hospital for the region.
• The revolution of the town centre public realm, stripping out and replacing old and worn furniture to create a clean, modern environment.
• Building a new cultural quarter for Scunthorpe in the heart of the town.
• Developing a technology business incubator hub in the town centre to help start-ups grow, expand and attract investment while assisting existing businesses to innovate.
• A scheme to attract graduates to live and work in the area.
• A clean, green energy system which transports low-cost, locally-produced heat and electricity into homes and businesses.
• Ensuring every home and business in Scunthorpe has access to Gigabit internet.
• Increasing rail capacity into major cities across the north to enable people to live in North Lincolnshire but access the broader jobs market the cities offer.
• An integrated, green transport system which transforms the way people travel across Scunthorpe to ensure commuters can use all modes of transport safely and efficiently.

The Town’s Fund itself will receive up to £25m but it will be used to leverage hundreds of millions of additional funding.

This follows on from almost £40m which has already been invested in the town centre in recent years and will be led by the public-private partnership Towns Fund Board which is administering the town’s share of a £3.6bn national government scheme designed to rejuvenate towns across the country.

The Board is chaired by the University of Lincoln’s vice-chancellor Professor Mary Stuart.

She said: “Following the latest board meeting, it is clear progress is being made to build upon the many years of investment in Scunthorpe town centre.

“It is an exciting time for Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire, which will see the local economy boosted and numerous opportunities become available for further investment.

“A variety of different projects are in the pipeline covering business, transport infrastructure, health, connectivity, culture and leisure sectors.”

Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have enjoyed an incredible amount of support from Government, particularly in cash terms and we have been able to invest in the people and place of North Lincolnshire. Now we are in position to really catalyse that.

“This is the culmination of many years work planning and preparing and we have a great team with an unparalleled skillset around the table – from the local government officers, regional and national government representatives and importantly senior business leaders.

“We look forward to developing these proposals further with local stakeholders.”

Holly Mumby-Croft, MP for Scunthorpe, who sits on the Towns Fund Board, said: “We know the people who live here love the place and we also know that they feel they have been left behind. That is changing.

“The town has a bright future, a future which includes people living, working, socialising and enjoying a whole host of leisure and cultural activities.”