GREATER LINCOLNSHIRE GROWTH DEAL PROJECT NAME:GRANTHAM SOUTHERN RELIEF ROAD PROJECT LOCATIONSpitalgate, Grantham LEAD APPLICANTSouth Kesteven District Council DELIVERY PARTNERS Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Lincolnshire County Council, Buckminster Estates, Lincolnshire Strategic Transport Board, Homes & Communities Agency TOTAL PROJECT COST£64million SLGF ALLOCATION£16.1million Project Summary The Grantham Southern Relief Road will deliver a new 3km distribution road, opening in 2017, that will link a new junction to the A1 with the A52 at Somerby Hill, bridging the Witham valley. The new route will provide direct access to the new King31 Distribution Centre on the A1, which has planning consent for 120,000m2 of new industrial floorspace and is forecast to generate over 1,000 new permanent jobs in the area over the next 6 years. The number of new career opportunities generated in the area will also be increased as the approved route will open up an additional 11 hectares ( 27 acres) of new employment land to the east of the town. This new business park will allow local firms to grow their established business by expanding into larger premises and take on new employees. It will also increase the ability of the area to attract new businesses investment to the area by offering employment sites with good transport links and a growing population that can provide a pool of locally available labour for new and growing companies. The relief road will also enable the delivery of the Spitalgate Heath development, that will provide 3,500 new homes over the next 25 years. The population and employment growth with this increase in housing provision will also generate increased demand for, and expenditure on, local goods and services, that will support a range of new and existing business opportunities. Improvements to the road network will also enable local companies to receive supplies and distribute goods to market more efficiently. This will not only increase the profitability and competiveness of those firms but also increase the appeal of the local employment sites to new investors. The relief road has also been designed to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the main town centre by diverting lorry movements. This will again enhance the experience of Grantham for local businesses and customers, by creating a more attractive high street environment. Visitors to the area will also benefit from reduced travelling times, allowing them to spend more time visiting attractions and using local services. Ursula Lidbetter, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP commented; “The major investment that has been secured for Grantham by local partners working together will really help us to deliver our ambitions to grow the economy in Greater Lincolnshire and attract new business and employment opportunities to our main towns”. Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Cllr Linda Neal, said she was thrilled that the Single Local Growth Deal had supported the Grantham Southern Relief Road. “This road project is key to our ambitious and creative growth plans for Grantham and this funding success is a very welcome and positive boost. We have recently heard that major retailer Marks & Spencer is returning to the town after a four- year absence and we expect to be able to anounce more great news for the town shortly.” Contacts for further information: Paul Thomas, Head of Development & Growth, South Kesteven District Council Tel: Greater Lincolnshire LEP Tel: