TWO Bridgwater projects are set to benefit from £6.6m of Government funding aimed at boosting jobs and economic growth.

Phase 3 of the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre in Bridgwater has been given around £2.7m to develop a further 2,000 sqm of office, meeting and 'collaborative' space for businesses.

Huntspill Energy Park in Bridgwater has been given around £3.9m to open up a 91 hectare enterprise zone with new highway link and roundabout to support business growth, potentially including the Hinkley supply chain.

The money was announced as part of the Government's Growth Deal which has seen a total of £25m in support of Somerset projects.

Connecting Devon and Somerset has gained £7.5m to deliver superfast broadband to more properties and increase covereage to 100 per cent by 2020.

There has also been £6.3m allocated for the Toneway Corridor capacity improvements in Taunton.

The money will go toward enhancements to the road between the M5 and Taunton town centre to support growth in the town, with phase 1 work including the area near Creech Castle.

The iAero project in Yeovil has also gained around £3.75m to construct an aerospace innovation and collaboration space to support business growth and create higher level jobs.

Councillor David Hall, cabinet member for business, inward investment and policy, said: “It is extremely positive and encouraging that we have secured this funding to support economic growth in key areas in the county.

“A prospering local economy is vital to Somerset’s future and all of these projects will open up opportunities for growth, employment and more investment.

“We have a strong economy and it’s important that as a County Council we play our part in looking ahead and making sure it goes from strength to strength.”

Somerset’s £25.7m is part of a £43.57m package for the Heart of the South West LEP area.

Together with match-funding of £115.92 from the public and private sector it means new investment totalling £159.49 million.

Councillor David Fothergill, cabinet member for highways, added: “Investment in our roads is absolutely essential to enable local businesses to grow and be successful.

"I am thrilled that we have been able to secure the funding to enhance the road infrastructure to improve access to Taunton and unlock the Huntspill Energy Park in Bridgwater. Better infrastructure equals more growth for our economy.”

This announcement follows on from the successful Growth Deal rounds 1 and 2 which previously secured £195.5m of Government investment from for the HotSW LEP area.

Chairman of the Heart of the South West LEP, Steve Hindley CBE DL, said: “We can and will deliver transformational growth in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay – with the right level of backing from government to create the right conditions and remove the barriers to poor productivity, including improved connectivity and investment in skills.

“This latest round of Growth Deal funding helps us to achieve the step change that we aspire to, and we look forward to putting these ten new schemes into place that will help us raise productivity for the area and generate rewarding careers for the people of the Heart of the South West.”