This is in addition to the £202.4m of funding committed by the Government on 7 July 2014. Over the lifetime of its extended Growth Deal (2015-2021), Coast to Capital estimates this should generate: up to 21,000 new jobs; 9,000 new homes and the potential of £390m public and private investment.
The new funding will bring the following benefits:
- Improvements to the A2300 Burgess Hill Link Road relieving congestion and unlocking up to 3,000 new homes and 5,000 jobs.
- Securing the redevelopment of Gatwick Airport Railway Station - a strategic local, national and international transport hub.
- A new Engineering and Digital Technology Park at the University of Chichester site in Bognor Regis, providing cutting edge skills to 500 students per year.
- Redevelopment projects in Oxted, Caterham, Leatherhead and Epsom.
Local Growth Minister Penny Mordaunt said:
"This additional £36m investment deal for Coast to Capital will create thousands of jobs, build new homes and improve transport links boosting the local economy. Through the Government's £12bn Growth Deals we are placing the power and money in the hands of the people who know how to spend it best and investing in projects which will make a real difference to local communities."
Coast to Capital Chairman Tim Wates said:
"I applaud the Government's additional investment into the Coast to Capital region. Gatwick railway station is one of the busiest airport stations in Britain and a significant transport hub in the South East. The upgrade to the station made possible by this investment will further improve the travel experience for both business people and the general public. Gatwick's world-class airport and its connected modern transport networks are vital to our prosperity at a local, national and international level."
Ron Crank, Chief Executive of Coast to Capital LEP said:
"These significant investments in projects, such as the new Engineering and Digital Technology Park at the University of Chichester, will help to improve the daily lives and prospects of local people, and will enable us to unlock the region's potential for long-term growth, job creation and international trade."
Councillor Garry Wall Leader of Mid Sussex Council said:
"This is very good news for Mid Sussex. My Council is committed to sustainable growth in Burgess Hill. We are planning positively for new homes and jobs. Improvements to the A2300 are critical to our plans so this support from Government is a welcome endorsement of our approach."
West Sussex County Council Leader Louise Goldsmith said:
"This is extremely good news for West Sussex and brings substantial investment to three key projects in the county. West Sussex County Council has identified the economy as one of our priority areas, and our aims are to see a growth in jobs, enterprise, skills and better infrastructure. These additional projects being funded under the Growth Deal tie in exactly with our key aims."
Picture caption L to R: Henry Smith MP; Guy Stephenson (Gatwick Airport); Penny Mordaunt MP with Coast to Capital Board Directors Steve Allen, Ron Crank, Prof. Clive Behagg and Garry Wall.
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