Regeneration and thriving businesses and communities are at the heart of a £16 million funding boost announced by council leaders.
The main projects will see an extra £10 million for highways improvements from 2020 (this follows the £10 million announced two years ago, the final third of which will be spent this coming financial year).
£2.7 million to promote business growth and an investment of £1.3 million into Bury Market, to ensure that the town’s ‘jewel in the crown’ continues to be a major attraction. It was voted the Nation’s Favourite Market just this month.
£500,000 is earmarked to support the Radcliffe Regeneration Task Group in its work to transform the town centre and there will be funding of £250,000 to deliver the Prestwich Town Centre Challenge and help and support plans to transform the Longfield Centre area.
A £100,000 boost to develop the Uplands health and wellbeing/residential concept in Whitefield and a £420,000 masterplan for Radcliffe town centre including urban design, planning and transport.
£100,000 has been allocated to increase car parking provision in Ramsbottom while £430,000 will go towards developing 3G sports pitches in the borough.
In addition, people who leave their properties empty for two years or more will be charged double the standard rate of council tax, the maximum allowed by law. This is to encourage occupation and/or redevelopment of empty houses.
Councillor Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “Despite a decade of Government austerity, we are determined to build a Bury fit for the future. This means investing in all our townships, creating opportunities for businesses to grow and bringing jobs and prosperity to our borough.
“We’re developing stronger neighbourhood working and partnerships, empowering our communities and residents to self-help where possible and improve the overall quality of life.
“Our priorities will always be to make Bury the place in which to live, work, study and live a healthy life.”
