County Council united in fight to help Barrow

The three political leaders of Cumbria County Council have today pledged their full support to the NWDA led Taskforce and other initiatives to deal with today's announcements of job losses at BAE Shipyard in Barrow. Councillors Rex Toft, Conservative; Mike Ash, Liberal Democrat; and Stewart Young, Labour have today issued the following joint statement. 

"The announcement of 700 redundancies at BAE Systems in Barrow is a major blow to the already fragile economy of the Furness peninsular. We support the setting up of the NWDA led Taskforce and will do what we can to support its work. 

The North West Development Agency has identified Furness and West Cumbria as a priority area in their Regional Economic Strategy. They have made their commitment to the area clear, and it is up to all local agencies to put historical rivalries behind us and work together for the good of the people of Barrow and Furness. We believe that the most effective way of doing this is by pooling resources to fund a comprehensive regeneration strategy and that this should be delivered through the recently established innovative Urban Regeneration Company, West Lakes Renaissance. The County Council was one of the main partners in establishing the company and has set aside £1.5million as a contribution towards delivering the strategy for Furness and West Cumbria.. 

At the same time we will renew efforts to secure the upgrading of the A590 so important in attracting new businesses and jobs to Barrow. 

The County Council gives a clear commitment to Barrow and the surrounding area to play its part in securing jobs and prosperity in the future."