THOUSANDS of new jobs and homes are set to be created with the pledge of £36 million in government investment in Sussex.

The money is being delivered by Cosat to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and promises significant funding for new transport projects including the redevelopment of the railway station at Gatwick Airport. Some £17 million in investment has been promised to improve the A2300 at Burgess Hill.

The government and Mid Sussex District Council estimate this will help deliver 3,000 new homes, 5,000 new jobs and 200,000sqm of employment space in the town.

The investment comes on top of £202.4 million committed to the region in July 2014 for flood defences, redevelopment of the Circus and Edward Street Quarter in Brighton and realignment of the A29 in Bognor Regis.

Over the lifetime of the Coast to Capital deal, 2015 to 2021, the Local Enterprise Partnership estimates that up to 21,000 new jobs could be created, 9,000 new homes built, and that it has the potential to generate £390 million public and private investment.

Councillor Garry Wall, leader of Mid Sussex Council said: “Given the huge infrastructure deficit across West Sussex, this investment in an important link road is very good news for Mid Sussex.

“The council is committed to sustainable growth in Burgess Hill; we are planning positively for new homes and jobs.

“Improvements to the A2300 are critical to our plans so this support from Government is a welcome endorsement of our approach.”

Prime Minster David Cameron said: “Giving local communities the power and the money to unlock growth and development and make the spending decisions that work for them is a key part of our long-term economic plan to secure a brighter future for Britain and ensure a recovery for all.

“And this is happening right here in the south from Chichester to Lewes and Croydon to Brighton, with more money announced today for key projects to boost the local economy as part of the multi-million pound expansion of the Government’s Growth Deals.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said there was a “quiet revolution” under way in Sussex with a “death of the culture where Whitehall calls the shots”.