Local Growth Fund
Through the Local Growth Funds 1 and 2 (LGF1 and LGF2), we have secured £118.4m to support dynamic economic growth.
This substantial investment from Government brings forward at least £100m of additional investment from local partners and the private sector - by 2021, programmes will create at least 6,000 jobs and allow 4,000 homes to be built.
We were also awarded £24.16m of Local Growth Fund 3 (LGF3) funding, enabling us to support multiple projects to benefit local people and businesses.
Head to our 'Publications' section to read our latest LGF dashboard
Read the latest LFG3 project announcement
Our key LGF3 focus will be on developing skills to meet the needs of local employers, building on Oxfordshire’s strengths in research and development and opening-up new commercial development opportunities.
Working with central Government, we agreed to co-invest in the following jointly-agreed priorities:
Local Growth Fund 1
£12.5m (£8.2m Local Growth Fund): A package of junction and local road improvements to support growth in the Headington area of Oxford - a centre for medical research and the location of the bio-escalator at Oxford University Old Road campus, which was part-funded via the Oxford City Deal.
This project will be delivered by Oxfordshire County Council.
Status: Ongoing – Stage 1 (Gypsy Lane junction) completed March 2017, Stage 2 (The Slade) completed October 2017. Full completion of remaining stages due March 2021.
£88.35m (£25.85m Local Growth Fund): A comprehensive package of measures to mitigate the risks of damage to homes, businesses and transport connections caused by excessive flooding.
This project will be delivered by The Environment Agency.
Status: Ongoing – due March 2021.
£1.9m (£0.6m Local Growth Fund): to reduce the risk and impact caused by excessive flooding for 108 households, 2 commercial premises and transport connections in Northway and Marston.
This project will be delivered by Oxford City Council.
Status: Completed.
£6.5m (4.5m Local Growth Fund): A new centre of innovation to coordinate the interaction between key industry players, Oxford University, cryogenics companies, and end users (including SMEs) on the Harwell campus and at the Culham Centre for Fusion Research Campus.
This project will be delivered by The University of Oxford.
Status: Opened February 2017. On track with new employment - targets due March 2021.
£4.9m (£4.5m Local Growth Fund): A sustainable transport scheme providing greater connectivity between Science Vale and the newly-improved Didcot station by bike.
This project will be delivered by Oxfordshire County Council.
Status: Ongoing – full completion due March 2021.
£7.8m (£4.5m Local Growth Fund): Development of a Technology and Innovation Training Centre in Oxford to address skills shortages across engineering, electrical, design, and emerging technologies.
This project will be delivered by Activate Learning.
Status: Built. On track with new learner and employment targets - due March 2025.
£23m (£9.5m Local Growth Fund): Packages of measures for car park expansion including construction of a deck access car park on the existing Foxhall Road car park.
Part of the expansion and improvement of Didcot station as a key gateway to Science Vale high-tech cluster and the Enterprise Zone.
This project will be delivered by Great Western Railway.
Status: Car park operational as of August 2018.
News: New multi-storey car park that can help ‘unlock major economic opportunities’ officially opens
£5.9m (£4m Local Growth Fund): A collaboration with Abingdon and Witney College - the centre will address local, regional and national skills shortages in science, technology, engineering and maths subject areas by supplying skilled technicians at Harwell Oxford and elsewhere in Oxfordshire; and deploying the unique expertise and facilities available at and around Harwell Oxford as a learning resource for the rest of the UK, Europe and the world.
This project will be delivered by Abingdon and Witney College.
Status: Opened April 2019. On track with new learner and employee targets - due March 2025.
£40m (£35m Local Growth Fund): Support to expand the integrated public transport system along the 'Knowledge Spine', delivering major enhancements to the A40 strategic route between Oxford, the Northern Gateway and Witney, and connecting centres of innovation and economic growth with Oxfordshire’s universities.
This project will be delivered by Oxfordshire County Council.
Status: Ongoing – due March 2021.
Cost: £1.3m (£1.3m Local Growth Fund): A package of construction works to support public transport and growth in Oxford City.
The aims are to increase capacity and reduce delays for buses; increase service for the new Westgate development; improve air quality; and decrease congestion in the city centre. This includes creating additional layover space; additional bus stops, improvements to existing bus stops, relocation of the taxi rank and changes to traffic signals.
The works include:
- St Aldate’s/Speedwell Street junction
- St Aldate’s (south)
- St Aldates/High Street bus stops
- Cornmarket Street
- New Road
- Worcester Street/Park End Street/New Road junction
- Worcester Street/George Street/Hythe Bridge Street junction
- Real Time Information (RTI)
- Bus Stop infrastructure and information upgrade
- Thames Street/Old Grey Friars/Speedwell Street junction
- Bus lane enforcement
This project will be delivered by Oxfordshire County Council.
Status: Ongoing - due March 2021. St Aldate’s/Speedwell Street junction, St Aldate’s (south), St Aldates/High Street bus stops, Cornmarket Street, New Road and Carfax RTI improvements completed by March 2019.
Local Growth Fund 2
£452.5m (£5.9m Local Growth Fund): A package to improve transport in the north of the city and enable the Oxford North development which will provide business and research space and new homes.
This project will be delivered by Oxfordshire County Council and Thomas White Oxford.
Status: Ongoing.
£150m (£3.5m Local Growth Fund): Transport and site improvements to support the Oxpens development, which will provide much-needed office and research space and new homes in the heart of Oxford.
This project will be delivered by Oxford City Council.
Status: Ongoing.
£0.6m (£0.4m Local Growth Fund): Establishing the Activate Care Suite to improve adult social care and health.
This project will be delivered by Activate Learning.
Status: Refurbishment completed. New learner and employee recruitment ongoing - due March 2025.
Local Growth Fund 3
£2m (£1m Local Growth Fund): Focusing on delivering the high-tech skills needed to meet the sustainable agriculture, food production and precision farming needs across Oxfordshire.
This project will be delivered by Abingdon and Witney College.
Status: Opened May 2019. New learner recruitment ongoing - full statistics due March 2025.
£2m (£2m Local Growth Fund): To host a growing community of those developing CAV vehicles and associated products and services.
This project will be delivered by RACE and UKAEA.
Status: Ongoing – due March 2021.
£7m (£3m Local Growth Fund): Development facility in Harwell will be built to allow product (Satellite applications) prototyping and testing, and the use of equipment acquired previously. This will allow the growth of further business connections and opportunities for presenting full-sized, innovative prototypes.
This project will be delivered by Satellite Applications Catapult.
Status: Ongoing. New employee recruitment and SME engagement ongoing - due March 2025.
£2m (£0.5m local Growth Fund): A new, high-tech, transient dynamometer centre for the testing and development of innovative propulsion systems and engines which use traditional electric, hybrid and fuel power. This is for a wide range of sectors including automotive, motorsport, marine, defence and aerospace.
This project will be delivered by Pro-Drive.
Status: Centre completed. New employee recruitment ongoing – full statistics due 2025.
£2.1m (£2.1m local Growth Fund): The creation of an interconnected centre for innovative research and development to address challenges in agriculture and forestry. This will add to innovation in the Plant Science sector and additional jobs in Oxfordshire.
This project will be delivered by the University of Oxford.
Status: Refurbishments complete. New employee recruitment and spin-out creation ongoing – full statistics due March 2025.
£10.2m (£6.2m Local Growth Fund): Regeneration of the site and developing a new knowledge park or innovation district, to provide flexible research and commercial spaces, conference and supporting facilities, and housing for people involved in research.
This will provide greater opportunities for employment, attract investment, and stimulate growth and regeneration in Oxford.
This project will be delivered by the University of Oxford.
Status: Ongoing.
