More details of the plans which it’s hoped will bring a once in a generation change for Barrow and the rest of south Cumbria have been set out.
Team Barrow, a partnership between central government, Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems, will help regenerate the town, revitalising Barrow and Furness as a place where people choose to live, work and thrive. The project’s ‘high-level strategic plan’ for the town has been set out in a new website called Barrow Rising which also launches today.
Barrow is critical to the UK’s national security as the home of design and construction of the Royal Navy’s submarines and recognition of this is why Team Barrow will receive more than £200 million of government investment over the next decade.
BAE Systems, which already employs more than 14,500 people, needs to expand its workforce to enable delivery of the Astute, Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS submarine programmes.
The Plan for Barrow describes how it will support this, as well as diversify and strengthen the town’s economy and increase productivity, by delivering improvements to housing and the town centre, businesses and the local economy, education and skills, health and communities, and transport.
The plan’s twin aims are to enable and sustain the Defence Nuclear Enterprise in Barrow efficiently and securely as well as maximise the opportunities for those who live in the town and those who will move here.
The website does mention earlier attempts to boost Barrow (‘We’ve been here before, but this time, it’s real’) but says the £200 million of government investment will make a big difference with ‘New homes, a first university campus, expanding industries’ adding that ‘There’s fresh energy everywhere you look and we’re just getting started.’
“Visiting Barrow last year I saw the huge impact Team Barrow is having in revitalising, strengthening and supporting the community,” Local Growth Minister Alex Norris said. “Establishing a new independent board is a vital step in ensuring every penny of the Government’s £200 million funding is well spent, and I urge the community to get involved in having their say in shaping Barrow.”
He added: “All local leaders have a part to play in our Plan for Change and Barrow plays a crucial role in our national security, I look forward to working with the Board to make sure the people of Barrow benefit from this investment and renewed partnership.”
Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham is a member of the board responsible for managing and overseeing the £200m fund along with the leader and chief executive of Westmorland and Furness Council Sam Plum who last year set out how ‘every day matters’ to Business Crack. The third board member is Steve Timms, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines.
“It is great to see these plans moving forward at pace, and to see projects already getting underway,” Michelle Scrogham MP said. “This is a massive opportunity for our whole area with the aim of delivering growth for our town and making it an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. These plans will help us build vibrant local communities through improvements to transport infrastructure, housing, education, health and wellbeing, and developing local facilities.”
She added: “It is important that we get this right, and I have always said that means involving local people in the process at every stage. I am really pleased that has been understood and that engagement and conversations with local people are at the centre of this plan and being made a priority from the very start.”
