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Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has visited Liverpool to see how more than 拢500 million investment is improving the local economy.

Mr McLoughlin first visited the Port of Liverpool, where owners Peel Ports are investing more than 拢300 million to build new container ship berths, quays and cranes at the 鈥楲iverpool 2鈥� container terminal.

Construction is well underway on what will be Europe鈥檚 first semi-automated container port; when completed by the end of 2015 it will be able to accommodate the world鈥檚 largest deep sea container vessels.

皇冠体育app new terminal is being supported by a 拢35 million government investment to dredge the bay and allow bigger ships into the port. 皇冠体育app new terminal will support 5,000 jobs over the next 10 years, providing a boost to Britain鈥檚 拢14 billion a year maritime industry.

Patrick McLoughlin said:

This record investment in Liverpool鈥檚 transport network will provide a huge boost to the city. Improved port, road and rail connections will link people with thousands of new jobs in the region and encourage businesses to grow. This is part of the government鈥檚 long-term economic plan to ensure our regions thrive, benefiting the UK as a whole.

皇冠体育app Transport Secretary went on to Knowsley Business Park, where new transport connections are helping local businesses grow, to visit Matalan鈥檚 HQ and tour the company鈥檚 Knowsley Park Distribution Centre.

More than 拢5.6 million will be spent on upgrading roads around the business park, while planned improvements to the M6 will improve journeys into Liverpool and the Merseyside area.

皇冠体育app Transport Secretary also welcomed the decision by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to use funding from its local growth deal to develop the Parkside road and rail freight development at Newton-le-Willows. A total of 拢14.5 million will be spent improving Parkside鈥檚 public transport connections to provide easier access to jobs.

Patrick McLoughlin added:

This 拢5.6 million to improve links to Knowsley Business Park will unlock economic growth. We are spending nearly 拢15 million on transport links to the new Parkside freight terminal and upgrading the M6 as part of our 拢15.2 billion plan to improve this country鈥檚 roads.