Part of Growth Deal 1 and seen as a precursor and an enabling project for the wider Shrewsbury North West Relief Road, the Oxon Link Road (OLR) project was awarded £4.2m of Local Growth Funds in 2015 as part of a £12.9m project for the construction of a new single carriageway link road between Churncote Roundabout and the B4380. As well as associated infrastructure, including the two a-grade junctions along the new single carriageway link road and a new roundabout on the B4380 to accommodate the OLR.
The core objectives included improving resilience in the local road network, delivering Core Strategy housing targets, opening employment land, creating jobs, supporting economic growth and competitiveness, reducing road traffic accidents and allowing the form and function of the Welshpool Road to be altered in favour of more sustainable modes of transport.
In addition to being an enabling project, the key outcomes for the OLR over its lifetime include 1,090 jobs being created, 835 new dwellings delivered, and additional employment land being unlocked.
£4.2m Growth Deal 1 investment
1,090 jobs and 835 new homes
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