£169m worth of Government cash to drive forward levelling up
The Government says it is boosting economic growth in Yorkshire and Humber, with eight projects awarded £169m from Round 3 of its flagship Levelling Up Fund.
This includes £48m – the highest awarded in the funding round – for major upgrades to the Penistone railway line between Sheffield and Huddersfield.
It will also provide enhanced station facilities such as electric vehicle charging points, car clubs and cycle hire.
Sheffield will also receive more than £19m to open up access to Parkwood Springs – its country park in the city – to help regenerate its former ski village site, and improve the leisure facilities within the park.
Almost £16m will be used to boost Scunthorpe town centre to create a more diverse high street, focusing on its culture, creativity and accessibility. A major retail complex will be regenerated as part of these plans, along with investment for the town centre’s transport hub.
Other funding confirmed today includes:
· £18m for three former mining communities – Mexborough, Woodlands and Moorends – for the protection and upgrade of important heritage and community buildings, safer and better public spaces, and projects to encourage more walking, cycling and time spent in town centres whilst improving access to leisure and sporting facilities.
· Almost £17m to move existing markets in Huddersfield – Queensgate Market and Open Market – into a renovated Open Market Hall site, with the Grade II-listed building transformed to create a focal point for the town.
· £16m to deliver a programme focusing on health and wellbeing in Holbeck, Leeds, as well as boosting community pride, with projects to improve public spaces and transform a landmark community centre – while supporting efforts to make traditional terraced houses warmer and more energy efficient.
· £15m to regenerate Wakefield by repurposing the Ridings Shopping Centre site and breathing new life into the city centre.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “Levelling Up means delivering local’s people’s priorities and bringing transformational change in communities that have, for too long, been overlooked and undervalued.
“Today we are backing 55 projects across the UK with £1bn to create new jobs and opportunities, power economic growth, and revitalise local areas.
“This funding sits alongside our wider initiatives to spread growth, through devolving more money and power out of Westminster to towns and cities, putting in place bespoke interventions to places that need it most, and our long term plan for towns.”
