CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak has described today’s budget as “one that delivers for the people of the South West”.

In a statement issued to the “Crediton Courier” by HM Treasury, Mr Sunak said: “This Budget delivers for the people of the South West. From Bristol to Bath, Plymouth to Exeter, we are providing communities with the investment for stronger public service, levelling up opportunity and boosting the economy.

“The £540 million to enhance local transport links, £495 million to improve roads and more than £5 million to reopen railway stations will help local businesses thrive and boost jobs and investment in the region.”

He sets out specific projects in the South West announced as part of today’s Spending Review and Budget, describing this as “part of the government’s wider support for levelling up across the UK”.

Levelling Up Fund: £131 million in total for six projects from the first tranche of allocations from the Fund:

Upgrading ferries to the Isles of Scilly.

Supporting the University of Gloucestershire to bring empty buildings back into use.

Regenerating Cinderford Town Centre.

Expanding the George Park and Ride site in Plymouth.

Linking Gloucester City Centre with its docklands.

A package of improvements along the A38 corridor north of Bridgwater.

Other announcements include:

Over £495 million of local roads maintenance funding between 2022-23 and 2024-25 (enough to fund more than seven million potholes over the next three years) and more than £75 million for smaller transport improvement priorities through the Integrated Transport Bloc for Local Authorities in the South West not receiving City region settlements.

£5 million development funding to reopen rail stations in Wellington, Somerset and Cullompton, Devon.

Up to £50,000 each through the Restoring Your Railway “Ideas Fund” to develop three early-stage proposals to reinstate passenger rail links between Tavistock and Plymouth, reopen Corsham Station and reopen Stonehouse Bristol Road Station.

£200 million of new funding to continue the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly investment fund and support its expansion across the South West.

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