Warrington Council has submitted three bids, totalling almost £47m, to round two of the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund to support local regeneration, improved transport infrastructure and cultural preservation projects.
The first bid focuses on health and wellbeing through three new facilities. Warrington’s plans include: a new accessible sports centre at Victoria Park with a wheelchair sports hall; improvements to the existing Broomfields Leisure centre, such as the addition of a 20m (65.6ft) pool; and a new performing arts centre in Lymm.
The council claims all three would be designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind.
The second bid concerns reconnecting the town with Warrington North through three new traffic-free active travel routes between urban and rural areas. The idea is to encourage more active lifestyle choices and to bring both health and environmental benefits to residents.
Bid two also includes upgrades to two existing recreation facilities, Burtonwood Recreation Ground and
Burtonwood Community Centre, to improve sports and community-based facilities.
The third bid looks at a first and last mile approach to active transport. It covers an east to west corridor through Warrington and is intended to remove barriers to active travel by providing infrastructure for walking and cycling journeys to and from the town centre.
Russ Bowden, councillor and leader of Warrington Borough Council, said: “Our levelling up bids highlight the level of ambition within Warrington and our aspirations to build stronger, healthier and better connected communities.
“We want to create a future where people have the skills employers want, where sport and the arts are accessible for all and where people can benefit from a range of active travel options.
“This funding would give us a great opportunity to deliver a number of significant projects which would make a real difference to people’s lives.
“We are pleased to be working closely with both of the town’s MPs on these projects and we’re grateful for their ongoing support.”
Bid one has a project value of £23.8m, with the council bidding for £19.7m from the government. Bid two is expected to cost £10.4m, with a bid for £9.4m. The third project has an estimated value of £19.5m, with a bid for £17.5m.
