The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced provisional investment allocations for the second Levelling Up Fund.
One of the programmes that has been selected for funding will be the Mid Cornwall Metro project, which will work to improve transport links in the county. Benefitting from almost £50 million of investment, four of the county’s largest urban areas will be connected through an hourly direct train service on an existing line, with two sections being improved.
The first stretch that will be improved is on the Newquay Branch Line, with work being done to deliver a new platform at Newquay Station, a new passing loop, signalling improvements, level crossing upgrades, and extended platforms at the Docks and Town Stations in Falmouth. This work will be backed by £32 million of investment.
Mobility improvements, as well as improved streetscape, e-bike hire, traffic management, and extensions to the digital ticketing system, will be delivered thanks to £18 million of further funding along the Mid Cornwall Metro. Overall, it is expected that these projects will provide benefits across skills, education, and transport, whilst supporting the delivery of economic growth across the county.
Another project that is being allocated funding through the second Levelling Up Fund will see two London Underground Stations upgraded thanks to £43.1 million of investment. Colindale station will be upgraded through a new landmark building, the installation of a lift, additional ticket gates and a bigger ticket hall to cater for increased demand.
Leyton station is the other one to be improved, with an improved, larger ticket hall building, accessibility upgrades and an improved environment that will serve to improve the overall passenger experience.
London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, commented on the allocation:
“Levelling Up funding will contribute to transforming Colindale and Leyton Underground stations to make these stations accessible to all Londoners while supporting the regeneration of the surrounding town centres.”
Education in Blackpool is also to benefit from funding, as a new Multiversity campus will be constructed thanks to £40 million. The campus will replace the ageing Blackpool and Fylde College, and will offer more than 70 educational courses, improve the Higher Education offering, and bring new learning opportunities to the town.
Not only will Blackpool’s communities benefit from improved educational opportunities, but increased footfall will also help to drive economic growth in the town.
You can learn more about the government’s plans to Level Up the country through Public Sector Executive’s Levelling Up Online Conference in October. Register here to learn from experts across the sector and help to share best practice with other industry leaders.
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