Freight News, Sea

Ports call for coastal community funds

[ March 4, 2019   //   Chris ]

The British Ports Association has urged the Government to target port regions and develop coastal economic clusters, following its announcement of £1.6bn in funding to help hard-pressed communities.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced details of a £1.6bn Stronger Towns Fund to ‘boost growth’ in deprived regions after Brexit. It will be used to create new jobs, help train local people and boost economic activity.
BPA chief executive, Richard Ballantyne said: “Ports play a vital economic role both nationally and regionally. They provide important hubs of activity, facilitating 95% of the UK’s international trade and providing over 100,000 jobs. Often UK ports are situated in deprived coastal regions and any funding which attempts to stimulate growth in those regions is welcome and needed.”
He added that the clusters around ports are ideal locations to invest in for sustained results as those areas typically have an established trade gateway or maritime hub that can provide the basis for jobs and development: “We are continuing to push for port areas to be granted the status of ‘Port Development and Enterprise Zones’ to create new jobs and encourage infrastructure investment.”

Tags: BPA; British Ports Association