Tag: 2021

PRESS RELEASE : UK trade deal with Australia will create opportunities for the legal profession [December 2021]

The press release issued by the Law Society on 17 December 2021.

A free trade agreement (FTA) was reached last night between the UK and Australia that reflects the importance of market access for services for both economies, as the UK continues to forge new trade relationships after Brexit.

“The UK-Australia FTA provides certainty and creates opportunities for our legal professions to work together towards smoother trade in legal services, which will make doing business easier for clients,” said Law Society of England and Wales president I. Stephanie Boyce.

“We believe that legal and other professional services should be at the forefront of the UK’s forthcoming trade discussions. Services, and in particular legal services, play an important role in facilitating the globalised market directly and indirectly.

“We are delighted to see this reflected in the articles on legal services and welcome the opportunities this agreement creates for both countries’ legal professionals.

“However, ensuring these opportunities are fully realised will take time. We look forward to continuing to work together with our counterparts for the benefit of both our professions.”

Latest figures show the legal sector contributed £29.6bn to the UK in 2019, equivalent to 1.5% of gross value added (GVA), and posted a trade surplus of £5.6bn in 2020.*

This makes the UK the largest legal services market in Europe – valued at £36.8bn in 2019 – and second only to the US globally.

The FTA responds to the Law Society’s key asks for legal services in trade agreements: greater recognition of qualifications, availability of a larger range of business structures – namely the UK LLP – and eased mobility options.

The agreement confirms the existing right for UK and Australian lawyers to advise clients and to provide arbitration, mediation and conciliation services in the other country’s territory, using their original (home) qualifications and title.

I. Stephanie Boyce added: “Enshrining the right to advise on home-country laws and public and private international law where they’re entitled to practise in their home jurisdiction in the FTA is an important achievement as it recognises the specificities of home title practice in international legal practice, without the need for mutual recognition procedures and/or requalification in the host country.

“Many barriers facing legal services providers are ‘behind the border’ and not suitable for an FTA, such as permitted business structures for law firms.

“However, provisions of the agreement establish and drive collaboration between relevant bodies – including the Law Society of England and Wales and the Law Council of Australia – through a bespoke legal services regulatory dialogue, and will help address some of the barriers that can’t be dealt with in the FTA.

“The FTA also creates new opportunities by providing UK law firms with legally guaranteed access to Australian government contracts for legal services that are covered by the agreement.”

The new agreement will also help legal professionals hoping to provide cross-border services, by making it easier for lawyers to train in Australia.

“Mobility is one of the biggest issues facing our firms. We are pleased to see the agreement comes with several eased mobility options for legal service providers. Companies will be able to sponsor visas committed in the FTA without an economic needs test and there will be no limitations on the number of visas granted to business persons.

“Junior lawyers will also be given greater mobility through unprecedented changes to the UK and Australia’s Youth Mobility Schemes – now available to nationals up to 35 years of age for a stay of up to three years, without having to undertake specified regional work in Australia.

“We will also discuss with the UK government what opportunities may be available for the legal sector in the pilot new visa scheme for UK citizens that allows early career workplace exchanges for graduates.”

The FTA also commits to increasing opportunities for digital trade across all sectors of the economy, while ensuring standards for personal data protection and for legitimate public policy objectives.

Digitisation is already one of the most important factors in the evolution of the legal profession and legal services and will continue to become more so, as reflected in how the profession moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I. Stephanie Boyce added: “Currently, lawyers, law firms and workplaces operating internationally must deal with a regulatory patchwork of data and digital provisions.

“Therefore, provisions – such as those guaranteeing the validity of electronic transactions and contracts – that provide greater clarity and certainty for businesses operating internationally in the digital sector are a welcome development.

“We look forward to continuing to work with government and our counterparts to realise the benefits of the agreement and help our members make use of the new opportunities in the New Year.”

January 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Australia and the United Kingdom Announce Signed Free Trade Agreement [December 2021]

The press release issued by the Australia-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce on 17 December 2021.

The Australia-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce applauded today’s announcement from both Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Dan Tehan MP and Secretary of State for International Trade of United Kingdom, the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP on the signing of the completed Free Trade Agreement between our two countries.

The Australia – United Kingdom Chamber celebrates today’s historic and remarkable deal which will drive a new era of high-quality, inclusive and expanded trade between Australia and the UK. As the first trade agreement Britain has negotiated from scratch following the announcement of Brexit, today’s signing symbolises the close and trusted relationship between our two countries providing a solid foundation in which businesses and organisations can benefit from the multiplying bi-lateral trade and investment opportunities.

Our Chamber has been highly engaged with both Governments for several years on the deliverance of an Australia – UK FTA. Now that the deal has been finalised, we will continue to work closely on the implementation of the deal with our Members and across our network.

Commenting on the FTA signing, our Chamber Executive Director Joanne Holland said,

“The signing of the free trade agreement is excellent news. The next few months will be devoted to working with our members on how we can effectively implement this historical agreement. We always value your feedback so please do get in touch with suggestions and comments.

We are eager to welcome new businesses to the Chamber network as trade and investment between both nations becomes easier.”

The Chamber has also worked in partnership with our Australian counterpart, the Australian British Chamber of Commerce to ensure the success of the FTA on behalf of our business Members.

Australian British Chamber of Commerce CEO David McCredie OBE said,

“The potential impact is huge. This Free Trade Agreement is one of the most partnerial and ambitious agreements signed by Australia and reflects the strength of historical and ongoing trading ties between the two nations. While we have all heard of the impact on agriculture and trade, our members and I are hugely encouraged by the provisions which address issues of skilled and experienced workers, the growing need to address digital aspects and the potential for cross-border investment.”

January 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New era of free trade with the UK [December 2021]
The press release issued by the Australian Government on 17 December 2021.

Australia today signed a landmark free trade agreement with the United Kingdom that will make Australian exports to the UK cheaper, create new opportunities for workers, young people and businesses and further strengthen the special relationship between our two countries.

This is the most comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement that Australia has concluded, other than with New Zealand. It demonstrates our countries’ commitment to free trade as a driver of economic growth and stronger bilateral relationships.

The Australia-UK FTA delivers benefits for Australians across the board:
- Exporters will benefit from immediate elimination of tariffs on over 99 per cent of Australian goods exports to the UK, valued at around $9.2 billion, when the agreement enters into force.
- Farmers will have improved access to more than 65 million UK consumers who value safe, sustainably produced foods and beverages with the strong provenance Australia offers.
  - Around $43 million in annual customs duties will be removed from Australian wine when the agreement enters into force.
  - For beef, a tariff-free quota of 35,000 tonnes at entry into force will expand to 110,000 tonnes in year 10. Tariffs on beef will be eliminated after ten years.
  - For sheep meat, a tariff-free quota of 25,000 tonnes at entry into force will expand to 75,000 in year 10. Tariffs on sheep meat will be eliminated after ten years.
  - For sugar, a tariff-free quota of 80,000 tonnes at entry into force will expand to 220,000 tonnes in year 8. Sugar tariffs will be eliminated after eight years.
- Professionals will have the same access to the UK’s lucrative jobs market as their European competitors, except from the Republic of Ireland. This means Australian job seekers can compete on an equal footing with EU nationals in the UK for the first time in more than 40 years.
- Australian households and businesses will save around $200 million a year as tariffs on British imports into Australia, such as cars, whisky, confectionery, biscuits and cosmetics, are phased out within five years, with tariffs on almost all UK goods being eliminated on entry into force.
- Young people will have more time to travel to the UK for a working holiday and will be able to stay longer, with eligibility to participate in working holiday opportunities raised from 30 to 35 years of age, and stays allowed for up to three years in each country.
- Australian businesses will have the guaranteed right to bid for a greater variety of UK government contracts in a procurement market worth an estimated half-a-trillion dollars annually.
- UK businesses will be encouraged to invest in Australia thanks to best practice investment rules, including to set up regional headquarters in Australia to leverage our network of free trade agreements.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan signed the agreement on behalf of Australia during a virtual ceremony with the UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan in Adelaide today.

The Morrison Government will now work to bring the agreement into force in 2022, so Australian exporters, farmers, workers, businesses and consumers can access the benefits of this gold standard agreement as soon as possible.

When the Australia-UK FTA enters into force, around 75 per cent of Australia’s two-way trade will be covered by free trade agreements, representing preferential access to 2.9 billion customers, up from 27 per cent when the Morrison Government came to office.
January 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : BCT’s Position Statement on the Proposed Norwich Distributor Road Western Link [March 2021]
The press release issued by the Bat Conservation Trust on 4 March 2021.

Background

This position statement sets out the Bat Conservation Trust’s (BCT’s) position on the proposed Norwich Distributor Road (NDR) Western Link. This is a proposed extension to the NDR, construction of which was completed in 2018.

Wild Wings Ecology have reported that survey work carried out by them in 2019 and 2020 has resulted in the discovery of a large, nationally significant population of bats of the species barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus) along the proposed road route. Within this is the largest known UK roost for barbastelle, supporting 105 individuals within one tree, and it is reported that the whole population consists of 270 individuals with maternity roosts spread through several woodlands in the area (Packman, 2020). The nationally important status of the colony and the threat to this is the reason for BCT producing this position statement.

Legal protection for bats

All of the UK’s bat species are legally protected from killing / harm, disturbance, and obstruction / destruction of their roosting habitat by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). This legal protection was put in place as a result of historic declines and some bat species are showing early signs of recovery.

Status of barbastelle

However, the barbastelle is particularly rare and thought to still be declining throughout its range across Europe. Barbastelle is listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the Global IUCN Red List and ‘Vulnerable’ on the UK Red List, which also describes it as ‘at imminent risk of extinction’ and estimates a population of 4500 individuals in England. It is offered special protection through its listing on Annex II of the Habitats Directive, requiring for member states to designate Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) to protect the species and its habitats.

Potential impacts of major road schemes

The potential impacts of road schemes on bats include destruction, degradation and fragmentation of roosting, foraging and commuting habitat; mortality of bats through collision with vehicles and disturbance from noise and lighting associated with the road.

The impact of roads on bats was studied by Berthinussen and Altringham (2012a), who reported that bat activity and diversity reduced with increasing proximity to a major UK road, probably due to habitat degradation (through noise, light and chemical pollution), the barrier effect and/or road mortality. Finch et al. (2020) report that both bat activity and feeding behaviour are negatively affected by traffic noise playback.

Mitigation and compensation methods available

Attempts to mitigate and compensate for the impacts of road schemes on bats generally include the provision of alternative roosting habitat (for example, using bat boxes or veteranisation of trees), planting of new commuting and foraging habitat, the provision of crossing points for bats to cross the road safely and sensitive lighting schemes.

Limitations of these methods

It is clear that new planting cannot replace mature woodland and the roosting and foraging opportunities it offers to mature woodland specialists such as the barbastelle. Indeed, it will take many years for any such new planting to provide those needs. Too long to support current colonies of bats impacted by the scheme.

Berthinussen and Altringham (2012b) reported on the efficacy of road crossing points for bats, concluding that bat gantries are ineffective but underpasses do have potential (if they are of sufficient size and placed along pre-construction commuting routes) and green bridges warrant further research into their efficacy.

Fensome and Mathews (2016) analysed evidence on road mortality for bats from across Europe and found that juveniles are more prone to collision (making maternity colonies close to roads particularly vulnerable) and that rare species such as barbastelle have been discovered as casualties on the roads studied.

Impacts from light pollution are often addressed by sensitive lighting schemes but this does not reduce the negative impact of vehicle headlights. Impacts from noise and chemical pollution are often not addressed and we are not familiar with any mitigation measures that have been both proposed and tested for their efficacy.

Local Planning Authority duty

This barbastelle population is of national significance because of the number of bats it supports. Whilst the site is not yet designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) it does qualify and should not need to be designated to be protected.

A SAC site threatened by impacts from development would be subject to a Habitats Regulations Assessment. Where an adverse impact on the integrity of a SAC is predicted and no alternatives are available permission can only be granted if there are imperative reasons of over-riding public interest and if appropriate compensatory measures are available and applied.

Regardless of SAC status, the National Planning Policy Framework (2019) states that:
- Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: a) protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils (in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan); and
- · When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should apply the following principles: a) if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused.
The available evidence suggests that the impacts of the proposed NDR Western Link on this nationally significant barbastelle population cannot be adequately mitigated or compensated for and we have significant concerns about this scheme if taken forwards as proposed.

References

Berthinussen, A. & Altringham, J. (2012a) The effect of a major road on bat activity and diversity. Journal of Applied Ecology, 49, 82-89. Found here: The effect of a major road on bat activity and diversity on JSTOR

Berthinussen, A. & Altringham, J. (2012b) Do Bat Gantries and Underpasses Help Bats Cross Roads Safely? PLoS ONE 7(6): e38775. Found here: Do Bat Gantries and Underpasses Help Bats Cross Roads Safely? (plos.org)

Fensome, A. and Mathews, F. (2016) Roads and bats: A meta-analysis and review of the evidence on vehicle collisions and barrier effects. Mammal Review 46(4). Found here: Roads and bats: a meta‐analysis and review of the evidence on vehicle collisions and barrier effects – Fensome – 2016 – Mammal Review – Wiley Online Library

Finch, D., Schofield, H. & Mathews, F. (2020) Traffic noise playback reduces the activity and feeding behaviour of free-living bats.

Environmental Pollution,Volume 263, Part B. Found here: Traffic noise playback reduces the activity and feeding behaviour of free-living bats – ScienceDirect

Packman, C. (2020) Norfolk’s Nature Discovery of the Year webinar 08.12.20. Found here: Norfolk’s Nature Discovery of the Year webinar 08.12.20 – Dr Charlotte Packman’s talk – YouTube
January 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The Wensum Link – What About Cycling? [August 2021]

The press release issued by the Norwich Cycling Campaign on 22 August 2021.

The proposed Wensum link, officially called the Norwich Western Link (NWL), is a plan to connect the A1270 Northern Distributer Road (NDR) from the point where it joins the A1067 Fakenham Road, across the Wensum valley on a viaduct, to join a newly-dualled A47 at Honingham. This is a very controversial road proposal. The Wensum valley is a Special Area of Conservation, a place of great natural beauty with wildlife-rich ancient woodlands and a beautiful chalk river, the Wensum. If built, the road will cause a huge – and frankly unforgivable – amount of damage to this delicate environment.

The position of Norwich Cycling Campaign (NCyC) is to oppose the project. Road building of this type is always detrimental to cycling, especially when fast dual carriageways sever existing roads radiating out from the city to the surrounding countryside. Also, because this road will enable development of suburban sprawl around the north-west of Norwich, it will inevitably increase car dependency creating a poorer environment for people wishing to get around by bike.

However, we recognise that huge commercial pressure will probably force its construction through. If this is to happen, it’s important that the proper cycling provision which appears to be guaranteed by government policy is actually honoured. Sadly, in this respect, it seems Norfolk County Council (NCC) are intent on doing all they can to cut corners by not providing a parallel cycle track at all.

The dual carriageway road will cross the valley on a huge viaduct and NCC are insisting no cycle track be incorporated into its construction. This is unacceptable as it means there will be no accommodation for cycle traffic along the new road. The viaduct cycle track is therefore the biggest issue facing NCyC because if it’s not included in the construction of the bridge it would be very difficult and expensive to add later.

January 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Ferrovial Construction Awarded Norwich Western Link Project [June 2021]
The press release issued by Ferrovial Construction on 25 June 2021.
- Project award in line with new UK corporate strategy to deliver schemes as sole entity, for sustainable growth and people opportunities
- Design and Construction contract £107m with a duration of 4.5 years + 3 years landscape maintenance
- Contract to be delivered by Ferrovial Construction and involves design and build of 6.1km of dual carriageway and 7 structures including 670m viaduct over River Wensum
Ferrovial Construction has been awarded the contract to design and build the Norwich Western Link by Norfolk County Council.

Work will start on the contract immediately alongside the council’s existing project team to further develop the design of the Norwich Western Link, including the new 6.1 km dual carriageway road between the A47 and Broadland Northway and many of its associated measures.

This work will feed into the pre-planning application public consultation, which is scheduled for the autumn, which in turn will inform the planning application for the project, due to be submitted in early 2022.

Works will include 6.1 km of dual carriageway from A1270 to A47 including a new viaduct over the River Wensum, 6 structures for minor roads and environmental crossings. Construction is expected to complete in 2025 with a further three years of landscape maintenance.

Cllr Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, said: “Ferrovial Construction have a great track record in designing and building large-scale infrastructure projects and will bring specialist expertise to the project, including in relation to the design of the viaduct across the River Wensum.

“Creating the Norwich Western Link is a priority for this council and it’s vital to ensuring we have the right infrastructure in place to not only tackle existing congestion and delays but to accommodate future population and job growth. We’re looking forward to working with Ferrovial Construction to deliver such an important project for Norfolk.”

Karl Goose, UK & Ireland Managing Director, Ferrovial Construction: “We are delighted to have been selected to deliver the Norwich Western Link, a key project which forms part of the new sustainable growth strategy for the UK business. We will be bringing our expertise and experience at delivering highways projects in the UK, Ireland and around the world to provide Norfolk County Council and the region with a world-class piece of infrastructure.

We will be self-delivering this project with local teams, opening new opportunities for people in Norfolk and offering a gateway to STEM careers in the industry and sustainable career development paths for new and existing employees.”

Ferrovial Construction were the highest scoring bidder from a competitive procurement process for the project which began in summer 2020 and during which they began developing their proposals for the project. Their appointment today followed a decision by the county council’s cabinet earlier this month to award the contract.

At the same meeting cabinet members also agreed to approve the outline business case for the Norwich Western Link, and this has now been submitted to the Department for Transport. The business case demonstrated that the project would provide high value for money, significantly reduce many journey times to the west of Norwich, improve road safety and reduce carbon emissions from vehicles. If the outline business case is approved, this would provide a funding commitment from government which is expected to cover 85% of the £198 million total project costs.
January 1, 2023
CPRE – 2021 Letter to Norfolk County Council on Norwich Western Link

The letter sent by CPRE to Norfolk County Council on 1 June 2021.

Letter (in .pdf format)

January 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Maternity colony for rare bats continues to be under threat from proposed road route [December 2021]

The press release issued by Norfolk Wildlife Trust on 6 December 2021.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust is continuing to object to the proposed “Norwich Western Link” (NWL) and calls on more people to consider the coverage from BBC Countryfile (aired 5 December 2021).

NWT Chief Executive, Eliot Lyne, said: “We welcomed the BBC Countryfile reporting on the Norwich Northern Distributor Road Western Link on Sunday. The programme highlighted the unacceptable impacts of building a major road through a nationally important landscape – one that is a vital home to vulnerable wildlife including what is likely to be the UK’s largest known ‘super-colony’ of barbastelle bats.

“By showcasing the importance of the woodlands for threatened species found on the proposed route, the programme shone a light on some of the grave concerns that NWT have been raising with Norfolk County Council, Natural England and the Department for Transport throughout the design and planning of the proposed road. Evidence and testing were shown to be key to informing decisions on future development and mitigation. It is vital we listen to the science.

“Dr Packman’s independent scientific research, as seen on the programme, provides very strong evidence that this area is crucial for the long-term survival of barbastelle bats in the UK. As such we are calling on the Government’s Nature Conservation Advisors to urgently designate the area as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. This will provide the resident bat colony vital protection from future developments such as the proposed road.

“We remain opposed to the new road development given its potential for a catastrophic impact on species. COP26 highlighted that we are facing both a climate crisis and a nature crisis, and that action is urgent on both. The outdated attitude that it is acceptable to destroy nature and compromise our climate in the pursuit of progress must be revolutionized. When nature thrives, so do we.”

“We are pleased to see national platforms such as BBC Countryfile raising awareness of important issues for our natural environment, as we continue our work to protect Norfolk’s wildlife.”

January 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Major benefits from £168 million Government investment into Norfolk for Norwich Western Link [May 2021]

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 28 May 2021.

A £168 million Government investment in Norwich’s Western Link would boost Norfolk’s economy, reduce accidents and journey times and cut carbon emissions, a report reveals.

Norfolk County Council’s cabinet is set to consider the appointment of a main contractor for the project and submission of a business case to the Department for Transport (DfT).

The Government is being asked to cover 85 per cent of the project’s £198 million cost, leveraging vital national investment into the county. Under DfT criteria, the project represents “high value for money”.

Councillor Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure, said: “The Norwich Western Link is a crucial part of our plans to boost Norfolk’s recovery, through major infrastructure improvements and is a high priority in our plans.

“The Government has ruled this is high value for money, so we expect it to fund a massive injection of money into Norfolk, delivering a road that so many people and businesses want and showing their confidence in Norfolk.”

The proposed 3.8-mile road would link the Broadland Northway with the A47 and carry 30,000 vehicles per day. A report to cabinet says that the benefits include:

Significant reductions in north-south and south-north journey times, west of Norwich – boosting the economy
Improved access to employment sites and housing developments
Reduced accidents
Reduced rat-running through villages
Reductions in carbon emissions from vehicles
Investment in sustainable transport measures to support walking, cycling and public transport use.
An additional £22 million would be spent on environmental measures, including green bridges and wildlife underpasses, following extensive survey work.

Once cabinet has made its decision on Monday, 7 June, the full council will meet later that day and be asked to endorse their decision.

If the recommendations are approved, a pre-planning public consultation will start in the autumn. A planning application would follow in early 2022. If planning permission is granted, work would start in late 2023, with the road due to open in late 2025.

January 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Norwich Western Link contractor announced [June 2021]

The press release issued by Norfolk County Council on 25 June 2021.

Norfolk County Council has awarded the contract to design and build the Norwich Western Link to Ferrovial Construction, a leading construction and engineering company.

Ferrovial Construction will start work immediately alongside the council’s existing project team to further develop the design of the Norwich Western Link, including the new 3.8 mile dual carriageway road between the A47 and Broadland Northway and many of its associated measures.

This work will feed into the pre-planning application public consultation which is scheduled for the autumn, which in turn will inform the planning application for the project, due to be submitted in early 2022.

Cllr Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said: “Ferrovial Construction have a great track record in designing and building large-scale infrastructure projects and will bring specialist expertise to the project, including in relation to the design of the viaduct across the River Wensum.

“Creating the Norwich Western Link is a priority for this council and it’s vital to ensuring we have the right infrastructure in place to not only tackle existing congestion and delays but to accommodate future population and job growth. We’re looking forward to working with Ferrovial Construction to deliver such an important project for Norfolk.”

Karl Goose, UK Managing Director, Ferrovial Construction, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to deliver the Norwich Western Link. We will be bringing our expertise and experience at delivering highways projects in the UK, Ireland and around the world to provide Norfolk County Council and the region with a world-class piece of infrastructure.

“We will be delivering this project with local teams, opening new opportunities for people in Norfolk and a gateway to careers in the industry and sustainable career development paths.”

Ferrovial Construction were the highest scoring bidder from a competitive procurement process for the project which began in summer 2020 and during which they began developing their proposals for the project. Their appointment today followed a decision by the county council’s cabinet earlier this month to award the contract.

At the same meeting cabinet members also agreed to approve the outline business case for the Norwich Western Link, and this has now been submitted to the Department for Transport. The business case demonstrated that the project would provide high value for money, significantly reduce many journey times to the west of Norwich, improve road safety and reduce carbon emissions from vehicles. If the outline business case is approved, this would provide a funding commitment from government which is expected to cover 85% of the £198 million total project costs.

January 1, 2023