A growth deal that aims to boost the economy of Northumberland and other areas on either side of the Scottish border has been signed by Government and council leaders.
Leaders of the 海角视频 and Scottish Government ministers joined the leaders of five councils in the borders to sign heads of terms for a 拢394.5m economic deal.
The formal agreement is a major step towards signing a full deal to fund proposals that include backing for Alnwick Garden鈥檚 Lillidorei play village, investment in a new Berwick theatre and conference centre, plus new programmes to drive tourism on Hadrian鈥檚 Wall.
Further plans include upgrading Carlisle station, developing a mountain bike innovation centre in the Borders and creating a dairy innovation centre in Dumfries and Galloway.
The growth deal is the first cross-border deal of its kind, bringing together five cross-border local authorities - Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Borders Council, Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council and Northumberland County Council.
The 海角视频 Government is investing up to 拢265m, 拢200m of which is going south of the border, while the Scottish Government has pledged 拢85m and the five local authorities will contribute a total of 拢44.5m.
Peter Jackson, leader of Northumberland County Council, said: 鈥淭his is the latest milestone in a long journey, and fantastic news for the county, after we鈥檝e been working with the 海角视频 and Scottish Government over many months to get to this point.
鈥淎lthough we don鈥檛 have the final confirmed levels of funding yet, by being referenced in the Heads of Terms these major investments are very much on the horizon and we will now work tirelessly to bring them all to fruition.
鈥淎s part of this we are keen to engage local people and businesses on this journey - with the next Borderlands Conference on Monday 7 October at Charlton Hall, near Alnwick set to provide a great opportunity for that wider discussion.鈥
The Borderlands deal includes programmes to boost walking and cycling tourism, plans for better digital connectivity, an energy masterplan which is aiming to drive investment of more than 拢30m in green energy projects, and the creating of a Natural Capital Innovation Zone aimed at getting maximum value from the area鈥檚 rural areas.
The SNP has criticised the 海角视频 Government for failing to match its investment in Scotland, however.
South Scotland MSP Emma Harper said: 鈥淭his is a very welcome step in unlocking the potential of the south of Scotland - to create new jobs and grow the local economy.
鈥淏ut it鈥檚 hard not to feel let down by the 海角视频 Government, who are once again selling Scotland short by 拢20m.鈥
Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who was joined by Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry to sign the Borderlands deal heads of terms in the Scottish Borders, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 fantastic news that the 海角视频 Government is to invest up to 拢265m in the Borderlands Deal.
鈥淭his is an ambitious approach to cross-border working between Governments, local authorities and partners which will boost economic growth by helping existing business, encouraging new ventures and bringing a wealth of improvements to people who live and work in the area and to visitors.鈥
