A FUNDING boost of £6m will create up to 4,000 jobs in Ellesmere Port by supporting business growth in the town.

Five key sites in the town will be targeted with new roads, transport links and environmental work after funding was made available for the next three years from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

It follows a bid made by the Ellesmere Port Development Board and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The sites to benefit are Homes and Communities owned land at Hooton Park, Port Bridgewater, the former BP Castrol site, former Cabot Carbon site and Newport Business Park at New Bridge Road. Improvements will include the construction and upgrading of roads, remediation of land, improved transport links and environmental improvements.

Business Secretary Vince Cable hailed the news.

He said: “We need growth that is more evenly balanced across the country. That is why we are supporting places such as Ellesmere Port with £6 million of Regional Growth Fund money, which will enhance their infrastructure and continue to bring long-term employment to the area.

“Following wider manufacturing investment in the area this is a good further boost to the local economy and it gives Ellesmere Port a real opportunity to strengthen its position as an excellent place to do business. It will attract further investment for an important manufacturing hub in the North West.”

Ellesmere Port Development Board Chairman Robert Mee said: “When we heard that our bid had received preliminary approval in October we knew we still had to put in a lot of hard work to ensure the funding became a reality.

“Our hard work is paying off real dividends and we have successfully created Ellesmere Port as a location that is recognised as business and investment friendly.”

Coming after a successful year for business in 2012 which saw companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Williams Sinclair, Debenhams, Travelodge Marks and Spencer invest in the town, Ellesmere Port councillor Justin Madders, said: “The town has had a number of major investors come in over the last five years, despite challenging economic conditions and this project has the potential to build on the good work to date and create thousands of new jobs in the area.

“The town’s excellent transport links and location have made it one of the most popular places for business to invest. This is all about building on existing infrastructure so that we are ready to go when the next opportunity arises.

“It’s a very competitive world and when businesses looks to set up somewhere they are attracted if a lot of the spade work has already been done. This funding helps to do that but it is important we also look closely at the skills our local people have so they match what new companies are looking for.”