Earlestown: £20m boost from Levelling Up Fund

It is among 15 projects in the region to receive grants from round two of the funding, with others including a new university campus in Blackpool and major regeneration of Preston’s parks and Eden Project North tourist attraction in Morecambe.

The Government says investment in historically overlooked areas will create jobs and economic growth.

Among the major projects are Earlestown’s historic market square and town hall. St Helens secured money in a previous round of applications.

In a statement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.

“That’s why we are backing a number of projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities in the North West.

Earlestown Town Hall (Image: St Helens Star)

“By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “We are firing the starting gun on more than a hundred transformational projects in every corner of the UK that will revitalise communities that have historically been overlooked but are bursting with potential.

“This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth, and help to restore local pride. We are delivering on the people’s priorities, levelling up across the UK to ensure that no matter where you are from, you can go as far as your talents will take you.”

Projects in the North West awarded Levelling Up Fund grants today include:

• £50 million to transform Morecambe’s seafront into an Eden by the Bay, inspiring a sense of wonder in the natural world and drawing thousands of new visitors to the bustling seaside resort every year.

• A new carbon neutral university campus in Blackpool, with a £40 million investment, placing the Talbot Gateway at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence and robotics learning

• £20 million will regenerate Preston’s parks, providing better green spaces for local people to come together to exercise and socialise.

• Accrington’s Town Square will get a new lease of life with £20 million funding to bring several buildings back into use, including the historic Market Hall which will be transformed into a modern food hall.

• More than £15 million to improve transport, sporting and leisure facilities for Halewood as they expand their District Centre and grow the local economy.

• £20 million invested in Blackburn’s infrastructure to tackle congestion and give local people more, better options to walk and cycle around the city.

• £20 million to restore Haigh Hall which has stood at the heart of Wigan’s history for 900 years.

• In Trafford, Partington Sports Village will be redeveloped with £18 million funding to provide state-of-the-art facilities for the local community.

• In Copeland £20 million funding will drive industrial development, helping grow emerging industries in the area.

• Almost £10 million will drive improvements along Workington’s highways and cycle routes to better connect the town to the Port, improving access for local workers.

• Close to £18 million in Cumbria will upgrade 30km of the highway network and repair 21 bridges which serve communities along the Irish Sea coast, bringing local communities closer together

• Oldham receives a £20 million boost in its ambition to become a top destination for green businesses by creating new spaces for green businesses and a new learning centre offering vocational courses to strengthen environmental skills.

• More than £13 million will build new cycle links and walkways in Ellesmere Port and upgrade the market hall with a new children’s play area and a Changing Places toilets to enable people with disabilities to live more independent lives in the community The Government has also confirmed there will be a further round of the Levelling Up Fund, providing more opportunity to level up places across the UK.