Page 10 - Barrow Town Deal Board Agenda 14/4/2020

Barrow Town Investment Plan - Stakeholder Insight Report

Theme Summary point
market, solar farms on the Port, battery storage opportunities on the Port. Growth in the energy sector could
provide “another leg to the stool” of Barrow’s economy. There needs to be a concerted effort to target these
opportunities to facilitate a secondary industry to support Barrow’s economy.
• The transferability of skills between energy and advanced manufacturing will support growth in both sectors
• The role of industry primes such as BAE in deepening local supply chains (look at what has been achieved through
the positive procurement practices of Sellafield as a comparator). It is understood that the supply chain targets
required by the MoD and BAE are challenging but the capacity of local SMEs need to be increased to enable them
to respond.
• The port represents critical strategic infrastructure for the town which can facilitate economic growth through
serving existing/future growth markets including offshore industries, cruise market.
• Seedcorn funding provided to Furness General Hospital represents an opportunity for new and modern health
facilities at the hospital site. This will drive employment growth and the education and housing sector will need to
respond to this opportunity.
Connectivity • How can green and blue corridors better connect infrastructure assets in Barrow to support accessibility?
• Barrow historically had a significant modal share of people cycling to work but this is perceived to have fallen away
over time as more people are driving. What can employers do to encourage sustainable travel patterns?
• How can road connections to the town be enhanced, i.e. dualling of the A590, A595 etc
• More frequent bus services, catering for shift patterns, with stops in the right places
• Roll out of low carbon transport i.e. electric buses, and investment in walking and cycling infrastructure to drive
sustainability and health outcomes
• The prospect of a Tidal barrage/bridge was mentioned, but financial viability is a key challenge to realising this
long-held aspiration

12