Waveney MP, Peter Aldous today joined a campaign by RenewableUK to retain funding for upgrading port infrastructure ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review in October.

Mr Aldous is concerned that the Eastern region could miss out on the chance to create hundreds of new green jobs if a fund to upgrade the UK port facilities is scrapped.

£60m has been pledged towards upgrading port infrastructure around ports to enable wind turbine manufacturing in this country, crucial for delivering Round 3 offshore wind projects. However, the fund could now be cut in October.

The campaign has received cross-party support from Peter Aldous, Charles Kennedy MP (Lib Dem) and Alan Whitehead MP (Labour), who have co-sponsored an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons on the subject.

RenewableUK has stressed that decisions on new port infrastructure must be taken in the next six-twelve months if the UK is to take advantage of the manufacturing and supply chain opportunities offered by the Round 3 projects.

Mr Aldous said:

“There is great potential for Lowestoft and the East Anglian coast to benefit from the creation of a new offshore wind industry in Britain. Whilst the Coalition Government is under tremendous pressure to cut public spending, retaining this funding would mean that we have a chance to upgrade our ports, attract investment and provide new jobs.

I will be doing all I can to help retain and create jobs in Waveney and will ensure that Ministers are aware of the vital importance of this funding to our area.”