Major Blyth funding bid submitted to Government
03 Feb 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
The County Council has submitted a bid to Government to unlock a new multi-million pound ‘Town Deal’ for Blyth - set to be agreed in the Spring.
Subject to agreement with the Government, the Deal will provide up to £25m of funding from the Government’s Towns Fund delivering a programme of improvements to help the town to grow, improve and renew between 2022-2026.
The vision is that by 2030, Blyth will be a thriving UK and international centre of renewable energy and advanced manufacturing growth and innovation, providing new jobs, better skills, more homes, and a clean environment for people in the town and the wider North East region.
Over the past year, considerable work has been undertaken, led by the Blyth Town Deal Board, bringing together private, public and community organisations in the town. The Board has engaged widely with the community to develop the Town Investment Plan and the suite of projects for submission to the Government.
The outcome of the Town Deal is expected later this year and if successful, project delivery will begin in 2022 adding to the regeneration of the town centre.
This includes the £1.3m Northern Gateway phase 1, delivering improvements in Spring/Summer 2021 to Bowes Street, Wanley Street and Church Street. The recently announced £11.12m Future High Streets Fund programme will follow with major investment over the next three years, including new culture, leisure, education and cycling and walking improvements.
Subject to Government agreement, the Town Deal will deliver projects including; improvements to major employment sites, additional town centre regeneration, new innovation and learning facilities, high quality new homes, cycling and walking improvements and support to deliver a major cultural programme of events and activities.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member with responsibility for economic development, said “We’re very pleased to have finally submitted our strong bid to government and thanks must go to our partners and the local community for all their effort and enthusiasm in helping us get to this point.
“Along with other funding recently announced there’s a lot happening in Blyth which will bring new jobs, economic growth, new housing and travel improvements to the town.”
Alan Ferguson OBE, Chair of the Blyth Town Deal Board, said "The Board is delighted to support the submission of the Blyth Town Investment Plan to the government.
"We have worked closely as a board and with the wider community and stakeholders in the town to ensure that this plan truly reflects the needs of the town. There are exciting times ahead for Blyth as we begin to realise our vision for Blyth."