BUSINESSES in Furness are hoping to see a return on their demands to the new government after promises in the manifesto to bring more investment to coastal towns and road infrastructure.

A business leader from the Furness Economic Development Forum is hopeful the pledges will bring an economic boost to the area.

Stuart Klosinski said: “We now have a clearer picture and a more settled context after the rising of the pound.

“This is potentially good for businesses in the area.

“This can provide certainty and continuity to Barrow and the funding plans in place as well as improve confidence for house building.

“I hope this will lead to an implementation of a Grizebeck bypass and an improvement of the A590.

“The government proposals said they were looking into assisting towns in coastal areas like us on the Furness peninsula, and this could help boost the economy through the funding of improved roads."

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive Rob Johnston said Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Government now needed to act on demands it had made over Brexit, people and skills, infrastructure, international trade and business investment and costs.

The chamber has called for a reform of business rates, tax credits to help exporters target new markets and for the £1 million Annual Investment Allowance to be extended to encourage businesses to invest and ramp up productivity.

It has demanded investment in transport infrastructure, including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, support for new nuclear power stations and tidal power, increased funding for further education and a flexible immigration system that would allow Cumbrian businesses to recruit migrant workers after Brexit.

Mr Klosinski went on to say: “One of the key things is that because there is a strong proportion of Conservative representatives in Cumbria we are in a strong position to see improvement to the area.

“Another key for Barrow, Ulverston and the whole Furness peninsula is to move forward with offers and opportunities made in the last few months from the towns fund, the future high streets fund, and the heritage fund, which should all be getting continued now.

“It is potentially best for the main industries in the area such as the energy and submarine programmes.

“We would hope that the prospects should help businesses in all parts of the community.

“What we have got to do is make sure the government gets behind businesses to make the most or our talent and the opportunities they have at home and abroad.”

The executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, John Grainger, said: “The likelihood of support for infrastructure projects is greatly enhanced, particularly the A595, which connects the communities in west Cumbria to Carlisle in the north and Barrow in the south.”