Andy Carter MP has welcomed news that the Prime Minister has announced additional funding to level up Warrington. The announcement is part of a wider economic package to accelerate infrastructure projects, fuelling jobs and the country’s economic recovery following coronavirus.
Towns across England that have successfully been selected to receive investment via the Government’s Towns Fund and will benefit from a share of £96m to accelerate investment in their town centres and high streets this year.
As part of this, Warrington will receive between £500,000 to spend on projects such as improvements to parks, high streets and local transport. It is receiving the funding as one of the 101 towns previously selected for town deals, under the Conservative Government’s plans to level up places across the country.
The Towns Fund is targeted at areas with proud industrial and economic heritage that have not always benefitted from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas. Today’s announcement brings the first tranche of money from the Fund to help each area meet some of the immediate challenges they face as a result of COVID-19 and invest in shovel ready projects that will improve their town centres forward, from new cycle lanes and better pedestrian access to repurposing empty shops to create new community spaces.
This news came as the Prime Minister set out a ‘New Deal’, an ambitious economic strategy to rebuild Britain across the UK, putting jobs, skills and infrastructure investment at the heart of our economic recovery post-coronavirus, and delivering on our manifesto pledges to level up the entire country.
As part of the range of announcements from roads to hospitals, Warrington South has also been allocated its share of the £434 million investment to expand classrooms, upgrade facilities and improve the education of children across the whole country.
Schools including Evelyn Street and Alderman Bolton Community Primary School are set to benefit from infrastructure funding. The funding will ensure schools have well-maintained facilities to provide students with safe environments that support a high-quality education. It is part of the £1.4 billion of capital funding for 2020-21 announced in April and is provided through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).
Commenting, Andy Carter said:
I am absolutely delighted that Warrington will receive at least £500,000 from the Stronger Towns fund this year – ahead of schedule – enabling us to accelerate plans that will transform our area and bring much needed investment and business into the town at a crucial time.
Schools are also a critical part of our communities, and as we exit the lockdown, we need to focus on getting children back learning. A big part of this is ensuring that schools like Evelyn Street and Alderman Bolton primary who will benefit from funding have the best facilities possible and the children and teachers feel safe.
