Investment through Local Growth Funding has enabled the development of a new link road between the A465 and A49 enabling the mixed-use development of a significant area of under-utilised land to be integrated with the city centre.
The City Link Road, opened in December 2017, links Hereford rail station to Edgar Street providing a new high-quality link to enable regeneration of this inner-city brownfield site and the upgrade of existing streets.
The project also includes a new integrated transport hub at Hereford Railway Station which will make it easier for visitors and residents to use buses and trains for their onward journey across the county and beyond, which along with other public realm improvements on key routes into the city centre has improved conditions for cyclists, pedestrians and public transport.
New health facilities at a GP Hub are already being developed, and there are proposals for new purpose-built student accommodation supporting the established Hereford College of Arts, and the new NMITE higher education facility, helping attract talented young people to study and work in the county.
£16million Growth Deal 1 investment
800 new homes delivered over the life of the project
Over 800 new jobs created
This project will create new housing and will provide a more sustainable and pedestrian friendly city centre supporting the delivery of long-term economic benefits and sustainable growth for Herefordshire.
Over 800 jobs have been created and over the lifetime of the project, it will deliver 800 homes along with other economic outcomes for the city.
The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.
The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.
The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.
We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.
The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.
The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk
For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk
For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk
The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com