Ideas , infrastructure and places
Ideas
During the summer of 2020 , the SWLEP secured £ 9.7m capital from the Government ’ s Getting Building Fund , of which £ 6m was awarded to two priority projects , the Porton Collaborative Innovation Centre and phase 2b of the Carriage Works , Swindon . Both schemes are innovation-led facilities with a focus on life sciences and leading-edge sustainable technologies . This funding will create a new conference facility at Porton , as well as further incubation space to be developed , alongside business support services . The refurbishment of two further units at the Carriage Works will enable the Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies to open its doors next year .
Infrastructure
One of the clean growth priorities in the Local Industrial Strategy is looking at the generation and use of hydrogen as a low carbon fuel . We were asked to join the European Hydrogen Observer Network which has enabled us to learn about trials and demonstrator projects across Europe and in November 2020 , we were invited to present our plans for hydrogen .
Work has commenced to deliver Swindon and Wiltshire ’ s Rail Strategy and we have established a Rail Working Group with Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council so we are best placed to have our priorities recognised in the Western Gateway and England Economic Heartland Sub-national Transport Bodies ’ delivery plans . We have engaged with rail groups looking to progress aspirations for stations at Devizes and Wilton .
Places
The Local Growth Fund investments SWLEP made also supported the successful Future High Streets Fund applications submitted by both of our Unitary Authorities . The fund was launched by the Government to help renew and improve high streets and town centres . Swindon was awarded the full £ 25m value of its bid whilst the bids for Salisbury and Trowbridge were provisionally awarded £ 9.35m and £ 16.3m respectively . SWLEP ’ s Local Growth Fund investment , and involvement in the Swindon Town Deal Board , also supported the development of its successful bid to the Towns Fund which was confirmed as £ 19.5m in March 2021 .