The Humber freeport submission is in, and the “bold bid” has been highlighted by the local enterprise partnerships representing both banks of the Energy Estuary.
Greater Lincolnshire and Humber Local Enterprise Partnerships have told how such a development has the potential to boost the economy of the region by providing investment, highly-skilled jobs, training opportunities and the development of more clean growth and decarbonisation developments.
A formal coalition, led by Associated British Ports, submitted the plans to Government this week, drawn up with support from the four Humber local authorities, the LEPs and partner businesses.
Planned new developments east of Hull, at Goole and at Killingholme – accelerated by Freeport tax incentives – would build on the success of the Humber Enterprise Zone in attracting investment to the area.
Stephen Parnaby OBE, chair of Humber LEP, and about to become deputy chair of the emerging Hull and East Yorkshire LEP, said: “The submission made this week is an exciting prospect for the whole Humber region, with strong impetus on both sides of the estuary to make our bid for a Humber-wide freeport a reality, bringing in new jobs and investment and maximising the potential of all of our ports.
“It is an example of the progress we can achieve by close collaboration, the will to drive forward the economy of the Humber region and to see this part of the world to continue to build on a foundation of partnership working and shared common goals.”
ABP Humber director Simon Bird has described it as the “most compelling bid for freeport status that the UK government will get to consider” as it was finalised on Monday.
Humber LEP is disbanding on March 31 after a decade, after a devolution split saw the South Bank authorities pledge single allegiance to Greater Lincolnshire.
Pat Doody, chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “The development of freeports is an exciting step forward in the way we trade with the rest of the world post-Brexit, and we know that the Humber makes an incredibly strong case for a freeport in terms of increasing trade, developing innovation and levelling up.
"The Humber Estuary is home to one the largest and busiest ports complexes in the UK, and it makes perfect sense to locate a freeport here based on our global strengths of advanced manufacturing and clean growth.
"This is an enormous opportunity for the Humber which will attract investment and create jobs, particularly in offshore wind, decarbonisation and advanced manufacturing. The benefits however will not just be in the Humber Freeport zone but into Greater Lincolnshire, the Midlands Engine and the Northern Powerhouse through growth in supply chains and jobs.
"We are working closely with the private sector, the local authorities and the Humber LEP and we're confident of success."
