�100m fast-track bid to save jobs

The scheme includes building hundreds of council houses

A �100m building programme could be brought forward to protect construction industry jobs across East Yorkshire.

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council is hoping to fast-track dozens of schemes including an upgrade of the A614 road and building hundreds of council homes.

Authority officials believe that by accelerating the raft of proposals about 500 jobs could be created for workers in the region.

Council leader, Stephen Parnaby said it would be local jobs for local people.

Mr Parnaby said: "Bringing so many high-profile projects forward is the sort of thing we can do that will help local industry straight away."

This strategy can only assist in helping to secure local jobs Neil Symonds, building firm director

Schemes which could be accelerated include major projects such as the �16m redevelopment of the Leisure World site in Bridlington, which will create a multi-purpose centre providing a range of community services over and above the current use.

A �12m scheme to upgrade six roundabouts and one mile of road on the A164 between the Humber Bridge and Beverley is envisaged in a plan which will also create around four miles of footway and cycle paths.

There are also proposals to create between 200 and 350 new council homes and more investment to refurbish existing housing.

Keith Gilson, commercial director for building firm Houlton, said: "This is an extremely positive move, demonstrating the council's commitment to private sector engagement, and a real boost to a hard-pressed construction sector."

Further proposals which look set to be accelerated as part of the scheme include �6.5m for education buildings and funding for the replacement of two council depots at Goole and Hedon.

About �7m would also be spent on the provision of three new multi-purpose centres, which would include libraries and customer service facilities as well as other community services run by the council.

An additional �2m will be spent on schemes following further investigations into the problems of flooding.

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