A "dying" town needs more investment so that everyone can enjoy living there.
The ECHO previously reported on an "exciting time" for Halewood after it was awarded £15.3m in the latest round of Levelling Up funding. Despite other bids in Knowsley and Merseyside being rejected, Halewood was successful.
New proposals could include an expansion of the local district centre, as well as infrastructure and greenspace facilities. There would also be an employment boost.
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But the town is also expected to get much more investment in the coming years, not including the money spent by developers as part of a new homes masterplan. Halewood could see an expanded retail offer as well as £6.7m spent on the town centre, open space and sports improvements.
Around £6m could also be spent on improvements to the Halewood Leisure Centre as well as £2.6m for improved walking and cycling links within the town. As a consultation was launched by the council, asking residents what they would like to see, we asked people what it is the town "needs" and where funding should be spent.
John told the ECHO: "Transport is a big one. Trains are very limited and buses aren't as reliable as they used to be. It's alright if you're going to town but most people just choose to drive, especially those taking kids to college outside the area because there's nothing here and they can't get there alone.
"And if people can't drive they struggle more to get around. It would be nice to see more activity and buzz in the town, some improvements to the current shops we have and things for people all ages to do."
Commenting on a previous ECHO story, user JK7 echoed: "We need a bus service that goes to Broad Green /Whiston/Saints and fill the two empty shop units in Ravenscourt. We probably need a bus service for the new Finch Lane estate, bring back the old 72 route for it."
Community group Halewood Voice said complaints have been made by residents who fear the "council plans are probably a lot different to what the people want." They added: "There needs to be investment in public transport, outdoor space for everyone not just the football community, and accessible and cheap for the community to use.
"As for retail, it would be great, but the village is dying, the empty properties there need to be filled and Camberley Drive has no shops, the empty units on Leathers need to be filled with shops before they build more."
Mum Nat said: "There needs to be more stuff for teenagers, they are causing havoc because there's nothing for them to do. We need something done about dog fouling, thought I'm not sure how that would work and I'm thinking about all the new houses, where will all these people go for the doctor, dentist or schools?"
Also raising concerns about overpopulated schools and "impossible" GP appointments, one woman said: "It's been said to be the forgotten town but it seems we are being left to fend for ourselves.
"We need to protect our green space. We don't have much left so I hope we don't have another fight on our hands for that. The roads as well, about 1,500 homes could mean double the cars, how's it going to work? It's a lovely little town, lovely people, it just needs more to bring it fully to life."
Calls were also made for CCTV at the shops, increased security and the re-opening of the town's police station as well as "another school" and improvements to sporting facilities, with fears the town could become a "ghost town".
The ECHO previously reported on "overstretched services" as one person worried: "Halewood is struggling, it's been forgotten."
But the council has promised an exciting future for Halewood. Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said: "Only a few weeks ago we were welcoming the news that Halewood had attracted £15.3 million of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. When you look at this in context though and consider the entire investment underway and planned in the town, it will actually exceed £30 million.
"That’s about £1,500 of investment per current Halewood resident. And that’s without considering the tens of millions of pounds spent by developers to build new homes in the area.
"The plans for Halewood are really exciting and I am delighted that Knowsley Council has been able to secure this level of investment at a time when inflation is soaring, and budgets are stretched. It is set to be an exciting few years ahead for Halewood and I cannot wait to bring forward these improvements for the whole community to enjoy."
Work is already underway in Halewood to deliver new primary school placements and highways improvement works. The full investments include:
- New primary school places (Up to £4.6 million investment)
- Improvements to local roads and transport links (up to £4.4 million investment)
- Outdoor sports facilities (up to £1.1 million investment)
- More early years childcare provision (up to £1.1 million investment)
- Improvements to Finch Woods (up to £1 million investment)
- A subsidised bus service through the new housing development site (up to £652,500 investment)
- Improvements to local healthcare facilities (up to £104,000).
The council confirmed residents will be consulted again over the coming months as plans develop and proposals are finalised.
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