Published: 13 August 2021
From: Environment
Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Borough Council has submitted an expression of interest to the government, drawn up with West Sussex County Council support, for much-needed funds to invest in streetscape infrastructure across the town.
If successful, this will relieve congestion, improve health and air quality and transform neighbourhoods for the better ā but West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and Henry Smith MP now say they wonāt back the bid, which is hugely disappointing for residents and businesses.
Despite letters of support from Gatwick Airport, Manor Royal Business Improvement District, Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Town Centre Business Improvement District, Metrobus and Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Cycle Forum, WSCC and the townās MP will not support the submission of the expression of interest, which could be worth up to Ā£45m.
The government is inviting expressions of interest and wants to invest significantly in 12 pilot local authority areas outside of London after the success of three āmini Hollandā schemes in the capital.
The borough council believes that Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ is the ideal place to implement a āmini Hollandā programme, which would revitalise the town with healthy, people-oriented streetscapes, improving residentsā living environment, active travel options and health outcomes ā a key priority of the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board.
Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ has:
- The need for urgent action on climate change, health and wellbeing and the economy
- The best suited geography and neighbourhood structure
- The ability to deliver and track record of delivery
- The support from key partners
The county councilās Economy Reset Plan 2020-2024 specifically states that rebuilding the economy post-pandemic in Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ is a priority; Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ is the only town cited in the planās themes and much reference is made of supporting infrastructure to assist the townās recovery.
The county councilās Reset Plan January 2021-2025 specifically states that rebuilding the economy post-pandemic in Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ is a priority and working in partnership to do this will be essential; this plan states that the priority outcomes include sustainable prosperous economies based on climate change, local economy, road network and shared spaces.
Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Borough Council believes that the āmini Hollandā bid is the most fitting project to underpin the county councilās priorities.
WSCC is part of the Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Economic Recovery Taskforce which has endorsed the Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Economic Recovery Plan, currently out to consultation which advocates the āgreen transformationā of Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ās economy and infrastructure.
This opportunity for a significant Ā£45m investment in Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ās infrastructure, much of which is over 50 years old now and shows it, is too good to miss. The investment would be transformational for the town and improve many of our residentsā top issues ā things like potholes, pavements and general street scene ā while improving air quality, helping us to meet our carbon reduction targets and creating jobs. We want to work with the government and county council to make this a reality. If the county council and MP donāt back this bid, Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ could be forever deprived of these improvements. Why should Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ miss out?
Cllr Peter Smith
Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development
Ā鶹¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Borough Council
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