Business and council leaders have celebrated the success of a massive £4.1m redevelopment project at Dalton Bridge near Thirsk.
After construction work completed last year the new structure – which replaces a flood-blighted bridge – has successfully passed its first test, the winter.
Designed to cope with periodic flooding, the bridge provides a more resilient, higher level route to the Dalton Industrial Estate, allowing the road to remain passable at all times – vastly improving access to the industrial estate.
The project came as a result of the partnership between businesses on the Dalton Industrial Estate, the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (YNYER LEP), Hambleton District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the Environment Agency.
The work was paid for with£1.6m of the government’s Local Growth Fund with match fund investments raised by businesses on the estate and money allocated by Hambleton District Council.
David Kerfoot MBE DL, chair of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership said, “This project is testament to the true collaboration between the public and private sector. Our position as an LEP allows us to have a uniquely local focus and prioritise investments that we know will have a significant impact for distinct places on our patch.
“This relatively small investment has had a hugely positive impact for both Hambleton District and Thirsk, ensuring businesses are able to operate and grow from this site and offer sustainable employment to the local community, also enabling further inward investment.
“Our genuine thanks goes to Roy Fishwick, a representative of the businesses on the estate, our previous colleague, Ian Hopley from Hambleton District Council and Andrew Leeming from the Local Enterprise Partnership Secretariat, who all worked tirelessly to bring this project to pass.”
Leader of Hambleton District Council, councillor Mark Robson, added that having already safeguarded 126 jobs and creating around 137 more, the redeveloped bridge is now also helping to bring in a string of new investment.
“With almost £20m of private sector funding leveraged, the renewed confidence in the area is opening up significant potential for further new jobs,” he said.
“This bridge is already making a massive difference to both the people working on the estate and those living in Dalton. We hope that it will see the economy of this important industrial estate grow, bringing even more businesses to Hambleton and opportunities for local people.”
Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “This government is committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the Northern Powerhouse and building an economy which is fit for the future.
“Backed by £1.8m of the Local Growth Fund, this investment in improved infrastructure has already had a positive impact on jobs and businesses on the Industrial Estate and will support further business growth in the area.”
North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Highways, added: “This project is a vital investment to support jobs and growth in the area, so I’m delighted to see it now fully operational.”
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