WYRE Forest District Council has applauded the Government’s announcement of over £4 million funding for Phase 2 of the Hoobrook link road in Kidderminster.

The funding was announced as part of the Local Growth Fund allocations for the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.

Conservative councillor John Campion, cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: “The Hoobrook link road is a key piece of infrastructure that opens up the former British Sugar site for full development, supporting new jobs and housing. It will link the two key employment areas in Kidderminster and help to relieve congestion.

“This project is on the agenda because of the visionary, preparatory work done by Wyre Forest District Council through the ReWyre programme. We are delighted that the Government is investing £4 million in our plans to help ensure that the final phase of the link road will be built quickly.

“This is a real vote of confidence in regeneration in Wyre Forest and shows how we are open for business. The council has laid the groundwork through having an up-to-date local plan and a local development order in the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park, which means various business developments don’t require individual planning applications.

“I would like to pay tribute to the effective joint working with Worcestershire County Council, the two LEPs and other partners, which has led to this successful bid.”

Conservative councillor Simon Geraghty, cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure at Worcestershire County Council, said: “We are delighted that this important road project, for which the county council is the lead agency, has secured significant funding from the Government to enable the second phase to be built.

"Planning permission is already in place and we expect to see construction start in early 2015, now that full funding is in place.

“The South Kidderminster Enterprise Park has been identified as one of the four game changer major development sites in Worcestershire that will help grow the county’s economy.

"The completion of the road link will allow the full economic impact of the development to be delivered.

“We have been pleased to work with the two LEPs, Wyre Forest District Council and other partners to achieve this successful outcome. My colleagues and I are now looking forward to seeing the road complete and operational as soon as possible.”