£50M TO LEVEL UP Help shape proposal to turn area around
THE public can now have their say on how Lancashire County Council (LCC) will shape a £50million levelling up bid which aims to bring investment to the east of the county.
Rossendale – along with Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle – has been identified as one of four areas to particularly benefit from the funding.
To support jobs and businesses, provide for a greener environment, and improve the health of residents, LCC is applying to the government’s Levelling
Up Fund and is asking residents to get involved in shaping these proposals.
It has already assessed which areas of the county would be helped most by the fund – including looking at levels of employment, health, physical activity, air quality, car ownership, road accidents, walking and cycling, and bus and rail services.
If successful, it could secure up to £50million to develop a range of complementary projects that, when linked together, would significantly improve the quality of life and opportunities for people across the Valley.
The improvements could include: changes to local streets, paths and open spaces to make local trips easier by walking and cycling; faster and more reliable public transport to get people to work, education, shops, services and green spaces; less reliance on our cars for local journeys; improved road safety in local areas.
Feedback will be used to shape long-term plans for improving local travel, and will inform the bid, which aims to deliver safer and healthier streets, improved public transport, and more opportunities for walking and cycling.
Phil Green, acting executive director of growth, environment and transport, said: “Our funding bid for Lancashire will be ambitious and if successful would bring many benefits to the county.
“Before we submit our bid for investment in transport priorities, we want to know what people think would benefit their local area and help them to make healthier and greener travel choices.
“No specific schemes or locations are being decided at this stage.
“We are looking at what might be possible, and what would best serve our communities, while meeting the government’s objectives for this funding. People’s feedback will help us to understand what’s important in different areas, as well as helping us to develop our bid further.”
If the bid is successful, more detailed proposals will be developed with input from partners and with close engagement with residents, organisations and businesses.
The survey is now live and will run until Wednesday, May 11.