THE multi-million pound redevelopment of Exeter's bus station is the next priority for the city centre according to the new boss of economy and growth in Devon.
Topsham and St Loyes county councillor, Andrew Leadbetter, has just taken over as Devon's cabinet member for economy and growth and has told the Echo that he will be looking for funding streams to give the development a kick start.
Cllr Leadbetter has also said that he is optimistic that funding will be found.
His comments come days after disappointment for the city council that it did not succeed in being given a share of the £8m Regional Growth Fund.
It had been hoping for at least £2m to kick start the multi-million pound redevelopment of the bus station which will feature a swimming pool and shops as well as a new bus station.
Cllr Leadbetter said: "Finding the funding is a work in progress and we will continue to work with the city council to look for funding streams.
"This is a priority for Exeter and I am confident of being able to do something.
"Funding streams are coming up all the time and we have got to be ready to bid for any that are appropriate.
"We are committed to working with the city council as well as the Heart of the Southwest Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), on this."
"The bus station is an important asset for Devon's transport infrastructure.
"As well as Exeter being the capital city and county town, it is the major transport link for the whole of Devon."
Karime Hassan, Exeter's chief executive, said: "I welcome this positive statement from Cllr Leadbetter and the priority he attaches to the redevelopment of the bus and coach station site. "
"The challenge of funding a new bus station together with the proposed leisure and retail development is significant but could be assisted through new funding initiatives now being established under the LEP. "Hopefully the LEP will embrace the economic case to support funding into the scheme and invite a bid for funding under the newly created single pot.
"We are awaiting details on the type of projects that will be eligible for support."
Projects which will benefit from the £8m regional growth Fund pot are the £2.5m Tithebarn Link Road, which is expected to indirectly support 3,000 jobs; the £2m airport link road, 700 jobs; £500,000 bridge Road improvement, 85 jobs; £1.9m for Skypark supporting 1,875 jobs and £1m for Exeter Science Park centre, supporting 200 jobs.
The £100k balance of RGF funding will be used for due diligence and monitoring.
