Berkshire councils submit bids in excess of £50million for levelling-up funds

Berkshire’s local authorities have applied for more than £50 million in funding from the government’s Levelling Up Fund TBM can reveal.

The Levelling Up fund is available to local government for infrastructure investments which improve day to day life across the UK.

While Berkshire enjoys considerable economic success, it also suffers from high inequality, unemployment, and deprivation, thus the need for levelling up.

Alison Webster, Chief Executive of Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, (LEP), said: “These levelling up bids are much needed to help unlock the economic potential in Berkshire. This is so that we can continue to support and grow a stronger local economy and contribute to the government’s Global Britain ambitions. 

“In the post-covid Economic Recovery and Renewal Plan, which Berkshire LEP developed in partnership with the six Unitary Authorities, we highlighted the need for a renewed sense of pride in place and community, as well as the changing nature of our high streets and how people engage with them.

“Transport improvements alongside enhanced culture, leisure and learning opportunities are major contributors to achieving flourishing town centres and communities, so it is pleasing to see these as the focus for the investment ambitions in Berkshire.

“The Local Authorities have submitted a range of hugely exciting projects which we hope Government will recognise so that they achieve success. Berkshire LEP is pleased to support our Local Authority partners and we continue to work collaboratively to deliver strong and vibrant town centres for the people and businesses of Berkshire.”

Reading Borough Council submitted two funding bids. The first would finance two catalytic culture-led regeneration projects, boosting pride and educational attainment, reduce anti-social behaviour and free up land for housing.

The second is a transport bid which comprises a package of sustainable travel interventions to improve town centre access, employment, education and leisure opportunities in the areas to the south and west of the borough which have higher levels of deprivation.

Reading Council Leader Jason Brock, said: “As a Council, we are always looking for opportunities to invest in even better facilities for residents, whether that be brand new leisure centres and swimming pools, new affordable homes, new and refurbished train stations, cycle facilities or new playgrounds, to name but a few.

“Our cultural and transport bids continue with that theme of investing in Reading and fit with this Council’s ambition to create new opportunities for everybody in the town.

“If we are successful in our bids, it will offer us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise and breathe new life into the cultural and learning offer in this part of Reading and to enhance Reading’s transport network to improve our environment and encourage more active travel.”

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Bracknell Forest Council would like to develop The Deck in the town centre and build a new library and cultural facility in Princess Square Shopping Centre, improving the town centre for its residents, visitors and businesses.

Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “In Bracknell Forest we are very much looking to expand our cultural offering in the town centre; making it a place where residents and visitors not only choose to shop but also spend more leisure time.

“We want to enhance the appeal of The Lexicon with an expanded and modernised library, cultural space and leisure opportunities. This will help further cement Bracknell’s position as a regional leisure and retail destination of choice and provide a number of economic, cultural and social benefits to our community.” 

If Wokingham Borough Council’s bid is successful, it will see the development of a 1.4km off-road walking and cycling route between Twyford Station and Charvil via Charvil Meadows, parallel to Bath Road, providing off-road active travel access to the station. This would clearly benefit the area’s cyclists and pedestrians who do not currently have a safe route to the station or town centre.

Finally, West Berkshire Council have submitted a bid to renovate and modernise Newbury’s historic Northcroft Lido, providing public and affordable sports and leisure activites and securing a long-term future for the outdoor swimming pool.

Howard Woollaston, West Berkshire’s Executive Member for Leisure and Culture said: “The lido has been in existence since the 1870’s and this investment will ensure future generations continue to gain the significant health benefits from outdoor swimming.

“The new design includes deck-level water to ensure anyone with limited mobility can access the pool and a new plant will significantly reduce energy usage and the carbon footprint of the previous lido.

“By extending the annual opening from ten weeks to six months a year we will deliver an exciting programme of activities for families, schools, clubs and help more adults and children to progress through our swimming programmes.”

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Featured image: iStock/Joana Pestana