New company for city revamp

The Docks are one project the URC would take on

A new company to co-ordinate the much-needed regeneration of Gloucester is being proposed.

The Urban Regeneration Company (URC) would take on responsibility for the bypass, the development of the Docks and the former city cattle market.

The government has been asked to give the project the green light, with a decision expected by autumn this year.

Made up of local councils, the South West Regional Development Agency, Parmjit Dhanda MP and other interested parties, the URC would attract previously-unavailable investment, say proponents of the scheme.

A spokesperson told BBC News Online: "A URC is a focus around which interested parties come together.

"It has clout in government and the private sector," she added.

There are currently 14 URCs in the UK, including one in Swindon