We DO need the £19m, say Rishi’s voters ‘This town really needs a boost’
IT borders the stunning Yorkshire Dales and is less than a ten-minute drive from the beautiful market town of Richmond.
But Catterick Garrison feels a world away from its neighbour’s Georgian splendour and quaint tea shops – its planned new town centre is occupied by a boardedup Londis and the rubble of a demolished swimming pool.
Now, the home of the largest barracks in the British Army has been awarded a £19million grant as part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s ‘ levelling up’ project. Critics, who say the area (which includes Richmond, the PM’s constituency) has benefitted from favouritism simply need to visit the town to see that the grant is very much needed, locals say.
Many of the 13,000 residents of the North Yorkshire town – known locally simply as ‘ Garrison’ – agreed with Downing Street, which said it would be ‘ludicrous’ to be embarrassed at a pledge of money to help Armed Forces personnel and their families.
Mental health nurse Lynn Murray, 48, who moved with her Army officer husband five years ago, said: ‘Bits of it are quite run-down,
public transport links are terrible, and there isn’t much night-life. It’s a cheap shot to say it was given the money just because it’s in Rishi Sunak’s constituency.
‘This investment is badly needed – at the moment we feel like a poor relation compared to towns nearby.’
At an average of £166,638, house prices are barely half the national average, while the town has some of the highest rates of fuel poverty in North Yorkshire.
Florist Jodie McNabb, 48, who settled there 20 years ago, said: ‘ It would make such a difference if this money breathes new life into the town – we might see some restaurants and bars opening up.’ Barber Mason Wood, 18, said: ‘It’s really boring here. I’d rather go out in Darlington, but it’s £60 for a taxi. We feel overlooked, so it’s about time this place got some help.’ Around half of the population are Army families or are employed at the base, while most of the rest grew up there as their parents were in the military.
Under plans in partnership with the Ministry of Defence costing £21million, a square will be built along with a glass pavilion ‘community and enterprise centre’, and new cycling and walking routes. The bid was put forward by Richmondshire District Council, run by an independent-Liberal Democrat coalition. Councillor Patricia Middlemiss, 73, said: ‘I’m delighted, because this town really needs a boost.
‘I’ve lived here all my life, and Catterick Garrison hasn’t had the same support that other military towns have had. So this award has definitely been made on merit.’
Council leader Angie Dale hailed the £19,008,679 grant as ‘great news for Catterick and the wider Richmondshire community’. Mr Sunak had no involvement in the grant, No10 said yesterday.