VICTORIA ATKINS has welcomed new funding through the Coastal Communities Fund that will help to create jobs and drive economic growth in the constituencies of Louth & Horncastle and Boston & Skegness.
Thanks to this scheme, Lincolnshire County Council will receive £1.7 million for two new visitor centres on the Lincolnshire coast – at Chapel St Leonards and at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve – both severely damaged by flooding and the winter storms in 2013/14. The visitor centre in Chapel St Leonards will include gallery facilities and together they will create 43 new jobs.
In total, 36 schemes in seaside towns will receive a share of £36 million which will help overall to create nearly 3,000 new jobs and almost 1,500 apprenticeships. This is the largest-ever amount provided in one round of funding under the Coastal Communities Fund, and combined with previous announcements, brings the total amount invested across the UK to £116 million which is supporting 211 projects, helping to create or safeguard nearly 12,400 jobs and provide over 6,000 training places for young people.
VICTORIA ATKINS commented:
‘This is fantastic news for Lincolnshire’s coastline. It proves the determination of Conservatives, locally and nationally, to help our coastal communities to thrive.
Under Labour, our coastal towns and communities were forgotten, suffering from neglect and economic decline which undermined local businesses and led to people moving away to find work elsewhere.
‘That is why the Conservatives, as part of our long-term economic plan, launched the Coastal Communities Fund – so that our great seaside towns can once again become year-round success stories. This Fund will now benefit the constituencies of Louth & Horncastle and Boston & Skegness helping to boost growth and create 43 new jobs for local people.
‘A strong economy and sticking to the Conservative long-term economic plan is the only way we can secure the future of Lincolnshire’s coastline and create the new jobs and opportunities we need so more families can enjoy financial security and peace of mind.’