£1m funding boost for Warrington as first tranche of New Towns Fund confirmed

IT has been announced today (Friday) that Warrington will receive £1,000,000 in the first round of funding as part of the Government’s New Towns Fund.

Through a £3.6 billion Towns Fund, the Government has today delivered an immediate £80 million funding boost for over 100 towns, including Warrington, helping them to thrive with new investment in transport, technology, skills and culture.
This will give towns and high streets across the county the opportunity to drive economic growth and improve prospects for their communities, helping them to build back better as we recover from coronavirus.
Welcoming the funding boost Warrington South MP Andy Carter said: “I’m delighted after speaking to the Secretary of State from Communities last week that I have been able to secure this funding for Warrington.
“Regeneration of the town centre is one of my top priorities and this initial funding will go towards plans to re-locate the current bus depot on Bridgefoot for an all-electric bus fleet. This is in addition to the £5.2m already confirmed.
“This is just the start and is part of the Towns Fund Deal worth up to £25 million. I promised when I was elected that I would get Government support for our hospital, schools and town centre and I will keep pressing Government every single day to make sure we get our fair share.”
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Our Towns Fund will help to share prosperity across the country and level-up. This £80 million funding for immediate investment is a real boost for our towns and will help them thrive with investment in transport, technology, skills and culture.
“It will give towns across the opportunity to drive economic growth and improve prospects for their communities, which will be vital as the country respond to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. We are fully behind our high streets and will support local areas to build back better.”
This investment will give areas in all corners of England the opportunity to drive economic growth and improve prospects for their communities, which will be vital as the country continues to respond to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. These funds are part of the overall £3.6 billion Towns Fund money allocated – with this initial pot shared out now to get some projects off the ground and give local areas the boost they need.

Confirmation of this £1million advanced funding provides the council with welcome support to prepare Warrington for delivering a bus fleet fit for the future, as well as modern town centre accommodation.
Council Leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “I am pleased to see that our ambitions through our Town Deal work has been recognised. We have been working very closely with our business, education and political leaders across the borough to create an ambitious, yet realistic, vision for the town centre, so to receive this accelerated payment is recognition that the government agrees with our plans for Warrington.
“We have the opportunity now to begin work in our town to deliver a new all-electric bus fleet, which can play a vital role in helping us achieve our target of carbon neutrality by 2030. The prospect of being able to unlock space in the town centre at the site of the current depot, for housing for our residents is also a positive step in the continued economic growth of our town.
“Now more than ever, given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we need to demonstrate our collective vision for Warrington and I am pleased that this funding is in recognition of the huge potential our town has.”
Through the £3.6 billion Towns Fund, the government has announced £80 million funding for over 100 towns, to use in this financial year.
You can read Warrington’s full Town Investment Plan online at:https://www.warrington.gov.uk/my-town