Energus - the big changes start here
Last updated 19:42, Thursday, 08 May 2008
THE START of work on Energus, the national nuclear academy at Lillyhall, Workington, means another stride forward in the £2 billion transformation of West Cumbria into Britain’s Energy Coast.
The Britain’s Energy Coast Masterplan is a package of regeneration projects that builds on the area’s skills in the nuclear industry and diversifies into energy technologies, such as offshore wind power.
Projects range from new nuclear training facilities and enterprise support to a new hospital and investment in transport, leisure and culture.
The masterplan will create 16,000 new jobs and bring £800 million into the economy.
The regeneration is being led by West Lakes Renaissance, the urban regeneration company for Furness and West Cumbria, which has invested £29 million over the past financial year.
The money has helped to secure a number of important milestones including the start of work on Energus, together with the new factory for the Cumberland Pencil Company at Lillyhall Business Park and preparatory work for the Workington Transport Interchange and the former BIP Factory at Maryport.
There have also been more than £1 million worth of improvements to the Port of Workington, Maryport Marina and Harrington Harbour.
Of the £29.2 million invested £20.7 has come from the Northwest Regional Development Agency; £3 million from the European Regional Development Fund and £5.5 million through the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) under the Housing Market Renewal programme.
The organisation has also supported events including the Whitehaven Maritime Festival and Maryport Blues Festival.
See next week’s Times & Star for Business and Industry supplement on regeneration in West Cumbria.
