Last updated 20:01, Thursday, 06 November 2008

A NEW private sector-led board will be formed to spearhead West Cumbria’s economic regeneration.

West Cumbria Vision will replace the West Cumbria Leadership Group, which has been in charge of delivering Britain’s Energy Coast Masterplan.

The masterplan could create 160,000 jobs and pump £800 million into the county.

The new board will oversee the development of offshore wind farms, a new £100 million district hospital, transformation of the Port of Workington and Harrington marina, and expansion of the University of Cumbria in West Cumbria.

Plans could also include a £30 million spend on the A66 as part of a £300 million investment into long-term road improvements, which would also include the A595.

A £50 million investment in cultural, sports and leisure facilities has also been mooted.

West Cumbria Vision would be private sector-led, but would include a partnership of Cumbria county council, Copeland and Allerdale councils, the Northwest Regional Development Agency , Cumbria Vision, Government Office North West, the Lake District National Park Authority, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and private sector representatives.

Coun Tim Knowles, Cumbria County Council member responsible for economic regeneration, has been appointed the interim chairman until a permanent private sector chairman is appointed.

The new board will be running by March 31.

West Lakes Renaissance will, in the interim, continue to deliver its programmes but a review of executive staffing and operational arrangements to support the new board will be undertaken.

Coun Knowles said: “The formation of the West Cumbria Vision board will allow us to pull together the various organisations so that they form a single, more powerful body which can drive economic growth in West Cumbria.”