1. Take advantage of the hard won commitment to the White Rose Way, Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route (FARRRS) and Inland Port schemes, to drive forward the Doncaster economy. I want Doncaster to be a place where entrepreneurs and developers are keen to be. While continuing our membership of the South Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), I want the town to look outwards to the North, East and South, developing close relations with the City of York, the Humber Ports, East Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.
White Rose Way bridge makes progress
In 2011 we were awarded central government money for key regeneration projects which will boost the borough’s ability to attract major businesses and create jobs.
Work on the Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme (FARRRS) should begin onsite by mid 2012, opening up access to the airport allowing major developments to progress and potentially create 24,000 jobs. We expect final government approval in the autumn and this will enable the formal planning process to start. A planning application should be submitted in the New Year with approval likely in the spring.
The first phase to improve the Doncaster Southern Gateway - White Rose Way – also started in 2011 and is progressing well. A dual carriageway will be created on this major route from the M18 to the town centre, dramatically improving access to the town from the A1, M1 and M62.
Bids for additional cash have been submitted to the Department for Transport and European Regional Development Fund to support further phases of this crucial project. The securing of extra funding will enable the second phase to start in spring 2012 with both phases due to be completed by summer 2013.
Our involvement in the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership has also meant that we have been able to secure a commitment to the development of the airport, which is a perfect gateway into England from Europe and further afield.
In August 2011 we sold the former Earth Centre site to Kingswood, a leading provider of outdoor education facilities in the UK, to develop a flagship centre. This sale marks a positive outcome for something that had previously been a big cost liability for the Council and is certain to provide a positive future for many groups of young people in Doncaster and throughout Britain.
