There was a plain ‘call to action’ from Haven Gateway Partnership Chief Executive, David Ralph, at the Partnership’s Annual Reception last night.  He commented:

“The Haven Gateway should no longer rely on service-sector jobs to support ever increasing housing growth and in-migration of skills to deliver its economic growth.  The sub-region must up-skill its own communities, facilitate new business start-ups and rise to the challenge of unprecedented opportunities in real growth sectors if it is to recover effectively from recession.”  He went on to say:

“The Haven Ports have a clear economic identity, which local businesses suggest warrants continued recognition from central and local Government and further investment on infrastructure.  The sub-region has clear propositions to deliver significant and sustainable economic growth.

“If we don’t grasp the economic advantages of the Haven Ports now – our proximity to the delivery of the offshore wind farms, our quality cultural and tourism assets and new business spin-outs from Europe’s largest R&D ICT facility at Martlesham – then we run the real risk of housing growth out-pacing economic growth, creating increasingly dormitory villages, a wider skills gap and a increasing low-wage, low value added economy.

The Haven Gateway Partnership has been working hard to strengthen the link between economic growth and freight growth at the Haven Ports of Felixstowe, Harwich International, Harwich Navyard, Ipswich and Mistley – since 2001.  In addition to ports and logistics, the Partnership also promotes investment, growth and sustainability in other sectors, such as: low carbon energy; creative industries; ICT/broadband/innovation and tourism.

The Partnership’s Annual Reception was held at Ipswich’s Christchurch Mansion, where David Ralph outlined the Partnership’s key achievements over the past 12 months, and its three key propositions for the future:

• The value proposition – delivering value for money?
• The value added proposition – showing how the Partnership adds value, and addressing
• How does the Partnership fit into the new coalition government’s thinking?

The AGM was also used as the platform, to announce that the Haven Gateway will continue to receive £3.5m capital growth funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government for this year.  The funding will contribute to a range of projects and schemes, including the new junction on the A12 at Cuckoo Farm; Ipswich’s flood defences and improvements to Felixstowe town centre.  The funding is part of an overall package of £14.1m for 2008-2011.

David Ralph, HGP Chief Executive, commented: “The Haven Gateway’s greatest asset is its exceptional quality of place, with over 89% green space.  Further enhancement of the sub-region can only be achieved through additional investment in infrastructure.  A priority for HGP has been addressing some of the key obstacles to progress those projects that will ultimately rally the economic climate of the sub-region.  Recent analysis by the Partnership confirms that 98% of all funding secured by HGP is spent on projects, and for every £1 of growth funding the Haven Gateway Partnership has secured £6 of additional match funding.  In 2010, we conservatively estimate this further investment totals about £90million – a leverage ratio of 1:6 which in uncertain times allows us to move forward with confidence.”

Among achievements in 2009-10, David Ralph highlighted:

• Improvements to major transport routes: including A12 Cuckoo Farm junction; A14 improvements (TIF) being delivered; Felixstowe to Nuneaton gauge and capacity clearance
• Direct action in securing the provision of other key utilities: Felixstowe flood prevention scheme; Ipswich flood defence being delivered
• Town Centre and Coastal Town Renaissance: Hythe Station works completed; Giles Circus Ipswich underway; Felixstowe Bent Hill/Hamilton Road shared space scheme delivered
• EU Projects confirmed: Dryports, Port Integration and Cruise Gateway
• Haven Gateway Five-Year Investment Plan approved
• Publication of ‘State of Sub-Region’ report
• Hamburg and Miami cruise exhibitions
• Haven Gateway Investment Plan reviewed in anticipation of 43% Growth funding cut

Click here to download the reports and brochures published at the Annual Reception.