Companies on a Hambleton based business park are joining forces to bring in the extra cash needed to build a new bridge to the estate.
Members of the Dalton Industrial Estate Business Group have agreed to create a Business Improvement District (BID) – a business led partnership to focus on improving infrastructure to the estate. The move follows a significant period of partnership work between the businesses, Hambleton District Council and North Yorkshire County Council.
A ballot of the 34 businesses on the estate near Thirsk voted in favour of the BID which now means a levy charge will be introduced on all business ratepayers – on top of the usual rates bill – to develop a key project to benefit the estate.
“Dalton has the potential to become one of Hambleton’s most important business parks,” said Roy Fishwick, Managing Director of Cleveland Steel & Tubes Ltd, based at Dalton.
“But without improvements to the bridge that cannot happen. Creating a Business Improvement District allows all the businesses to contribute to getting that bridge built and to the future success of the park.
“This scheme reflects a great example of the private and public sector working together.”
Cash generated through the BID together with grant funding will be used to help build the new £3.36m Dalton Bridge. It will replace the current narrow hump backed bridge which often closes as a result of flooding during periods of bad weather. Cash for the project is also coming from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership and the Environment Agency.
The new bridge will unlock the door to potential growth of the companies already trading at Dalton and attract new businesses – leading to new jobs and a boost for the local economy.
Planning permission has already been granted for the bridge and a section of road at an elevated level – with flood embankments to give one in 100 year flood protection. The search for a contractor will now go out to tender with construction completed in 2017.
Dalton Industrial Estate houses some of the district’s largest companies – many of which were founded there and now have global reach. It employs around 850 people in everything from steel stockists and pet food production to the largest privately owned perfume and flavour business.