Six billion pounds worth of local projects in England have been approved by the Government this week including more than 150 road schemes and 20 railway stations.

The investment is made as part of a first wave of so called 'Growth Deals' with businesses and local authorities for transport infrastructure and housing. The deal includes an allocation of £2Bn through the Local Growth Fund for the next financial year.

Major projects to be built through the Growth Deals include a £23M road tunnel near Swindon to open up a site for thousands of new homes and an £18M revamp of the Metrolink tram system in Manchester.

Funding has also been agreed for a new engineering training facility at the MIRA technology park in Warwickshire.

"We are ending a culture of Whitehall knows best," said Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. "Growth Deals will create thousands of jobs, provide new training opportunities, build thousands of new homes and improve transport links across the country."

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association welcomed the Growth Deal agreements between Government and Local Enterprise Partnerships but warned that momentum in investing in new infrastructure must be maintained in the coming years.

Also this week the Labour Party said it will introduce a new National Infrastructure Commission to look after long term planning if it wins next year's General Election.

The party has been working with former Olympic Delivery Authority chairman Sir John Armitt who has produced a draft Bill for a new Commission.

Consultant WSP welcomed the development but warned of the need to avoid duplication of effort with the creation of too many bodies. Head of infrastructure Duncan Symonds said: "Infrastructure requires leadership that provides absolute clarity on the direction of policy."

Photo of Manchester Metrolink: James Layhe

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