AN application for £50m in government funds for a new scheme which could create thousands of jobs and bring £16m a year to the Northwich ecomomy is set to be submitted. 

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s ruling cabinet has given its backing to an application to the Government’s £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund for what were described as two 'truly transformative' projects in Northwich and Ellesmere Port.

In Northwich, the £50m Winnington Corridor scheme would see a new two-lane road bridge across the River Weaver, the conversion of the existing listed bridge into a cycle/pedestrian only option and the creation of a three-junction improvement between the bridge and Northwich town centre.

The council estimates the work would create an extra £16m a year for Northwich in additional spend in local shops and services and create 300 jobs, with up to 2,000 more created during the construction phase.

But in order for the bid to be submitted on time, the council will have to spend £1m on site surveys and design work, even before it knows if its final bid to government has been unsuccessful. The cash will come from a £3m allocation set aside from the council’s capital programme.

At the cabinet meeting, Cllr Richard Beacham, cabinet member for inclusive growth, economy and regeneration, told members the projects were 'truly transformative'.

He said: “It’s important to note that we remain as a category two area, so we’ve been given a strong steer by government advisors to prioritise projects and limit our submissions. "We’ve listened to this advice to give us the best chance of securing funding for our borough.”

Cllr Lynn Gibbon, councillor for Marbury and deputy leader of Cheshire West's Conservative Group, raised concerns about some parts of the Winnington Corridor scheme in relation to traffic mitigation measures and that she had yet to see further details.

But she told the meeting: “This is a crucial bid which I fully support, especially as the impact of doing nothing in the respect of Winnington Bridge would have a detrimental impact of wards on both sides of the river.”

The second project includes a £10m regeneration scheme in Ellesmre Port, taking the combined application to £60m. 

The Levelling Up Fund (LUF) can be used to invest in infrastructure and schemes, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport options, and investing in cultural, heritage and leisure assets. The council describes it as ‘highly competitive’.  If approved, the council would have to find 10 per cent of the overall project costs. This could come from either council funding or private investment.

Following approval by cabinet, the bid must now be submitted by July 6.