Somerset Council's bid for funding town projects in Bridgwater has been secured.
The full £23.2m funding for the final three business cases within the Bridgwater Town Deal, ensures that all 11 projects will now go ahead.
The government’s town deal initiative is designed to regenerate town centres to boost businesses, improve infrastructure and bring communities together. As one of 101 towns named by the government as eligible, Bridgwater could bid for up to £25m from a national £3.6bn Towns Fund pot.
This full grant means that Bridgwater Carnival, docks restoration and walking and cycling projects will go ahead. These were the last three business cases to be submitted by the Bridgwater Town Deal Board.
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Bridgwater Carnival will receive £3m of funding to deliver new workshops and encourage greater community participation. This represents phase one of the longer-term redevelopment of the existing carnival site. Along with match funding from the HPC (Hinkley Point C) Community Fund, which is managed by Somerset Community Foundation, this project will look to deliver improved access, drainage and five new workshops on the site
Restoration of the historic docks quarter, creating a new residential, leisure and tourism destination in the town has received £4.2m of funding. While walking and cycling links will be granted £1m to improve links between local employment areas and Bridgwater town centre.
Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said: “This is truly excellent news for Bridgwater. Anyone who has known or lived in the town for any length of time will be fully aware of how grants such as these have been so wisely put to work to transform Bridgwater’s image from that of a run-down and neglected industrial centre to a dynamic and forward-looking community with a really vibrant atmosphere. I couldn’t be more delighted that we are about to witness another step in that enhancement process.”
Paul Moore, chairman of the Bridgwater Town Deal Board, added: “This is brilliant news for Bridgwater, it’s a big step forward from all the planning and development work to have now secured the full £23.2m. All eleven Bridgwater Town Deal projects are now on the launch pad or in flight for delivery which makes the coming months an exciting time for the town, as local residents and businesses will begin to see these projects unfold.”
Other projects, as part of Bridgwater Town Deal, include a tidal barrier, an arts centre, the creation of town wardens, and a business and enterprise support hub, among others.
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