New link road is 'the last piece of the regeneration jigsaw'

Plans for the long-awaited Woodville Regeneration Route have been hailed as a ‘catalyst’ for the South Derbyshire economy.

The £10.5m link road project has taken a step forward after the Government handed the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) a £63m funding boost for schemes in its spring budget.

As well as easing traffic congestion at Woodville’s Tollgate roundabout, the redevelopment of the former Dyson site is expected to create hundreds of jobs and around 150 homes.

If planning permission is granted, it will be a major shot in the arm for what continues to be one of the fastest-growing districts and its already low unemployment levels.

District council Leader Councillor Bob Wheeler said:

“News of the funding is very welcome – it’s a catalyst in terms of the local economy and puts into place the last piece of the regeneration jigsaw for our urban core.

“The Tetron Point development in Swadlincote is almost complete, with only a few units remaining, so brownfield land in Woodville is the next big opportunity. With easy access onto the M42, it is a very attractive proposition for businesses.

“We can now look forward to the road opening up a large area for development and taking pressure off the Tollgate roundabout, an enormous benefit both to local residents and through traffic.

“We're grateful that support from the Government and the LEP will bring this dream into reality.”

The scheme, which is a D2N2 priority project, centres on the new link road from the A511, which will pass through the brownfield 'Tollgate Park' site before joining up with the A514.

The next step is for a planning application to be submitted by Derbyshire County Council for the road.

People can get more information on the proposed Woodville Regeneration Route during two exhibitions at Swadlincote Library. These are scheduled to take place between noon and 4pm on Saturday 18, March and from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday 21 March 2017.

The £63m awarded to the D2N2 LEP could see a total of around 6,500 jobs created, more than 600 homes built and attract £153m in additional private sector investment across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire over the next five years.

15 March 2017