Agency announces £9.5 million funding for Rotherwas Futures project

Hereford's much-needed Rotherwas access road has been given the green light by Advantage West Midlands, which has signalled its support by agreeing £9.5 million towards the Rotherwas Futures project, of which the access road is a key component. The news has been welcomed by local business.

The £20 million Rotherwas Futures project, led by Herefordshire Council, will transform the existing Rotherwas Industrial Estate, which is already the county’s key employment site, creating new jobs and helping Herefordshire’s economy to compete in the longer term.

Specific plans include: the development of the new access road; redevelopment of the existing estate; refurbishment of existing properties where relevant; development of site service infrastructure to provide 14.41ha (35.59 acres) of additional land for development; and implementation of a flood alleviation scheme.
 
The 123 hectare Rotherwas Industrial Estate was formerly a wartime munitions depot.  The majority of existing buildings were built pre-war and immediately post war, and there  has been no major developments on the site since the 1980s.

Over 125 companies occupy the Estate but further development of the area is restricted by poor road access and 100 year flood levels.

John Edwards, Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands said: “The Rotherwas Industrial Estate has an important role to play in providing quality employment land for quality jobs for the people of Herefordshire and I am delighted that Advantage West Midlands can provide vital funds to assist its development.

 “The benefits of a redeveloped estate and a new access road will flow to the whole of Herefordshire.”

Cllr Roger Phillips, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “The Rotherwas Industrial Estate is key to securing the county’s long-term economic viability and we value our partnership with AWM and the benefits it brings to Rotherwas.

“This is about protecting the existing 2,000 jobs based here as well as creating more opportunities and better infrastructure for businesses.”

Christine Jones, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce added: “This is fantastic news. It will not only help to retain existing jobs on the industrial estate, but will create new ones.”

Chris Brookes, Director of LuK-Aftermarket Service Ltd, said: “This road is vital for the city of Hereford, not just the Rotherwas Industrial Estate. We now need more companies here with high expectations - this news will mean companies will be able to reach their full potential.”

Michael Moran, Managing Director of MilSys (UK) Ltd, said after hearing the news: “This is an important day for Hereford. The significance of this not only means more jobs in the future, but it safeguards the jobs we currently have.”