Lancashire submits £50m bid to the Government's Levelling Up Fund

The Levelling Up Fund is designed to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The £4.8bn fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.

If Lancashire's bid is successful, it could secure up to £50 million to develop a range of complementary public transport, walking and cycling projects that would significantly improve travel opportunities for people across East Lancashire, making them safer and greener.

After considering 600 potential transport schemes county-wide, the council has selected three themed interventions in the East Lancashire districts of Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale.

The title of the bid is 'Levelling Up East Lancashire. Creating opportunities through greener, safer and healthier travel'. It's three themes are:

1. Liveable Neighbourhoods – making residential areas safer for walking and cycling, and making neighbourhoods more attractive by connecting places through greener walking and cycling routes.
2. Public Transport Service Improvements – upgrading public transport facilities, and reducing journey times to work, training and education.
3. Active Travel – improving walking and cycling facilities, connecting residential areas with places of employment, shops and leisure facilities – all helping to improve the health and well-being of local people.

County Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, said: "A huge amount of work has been undertaken to identify the areas that would benefit the most from the Levelling Up Fund. This includes looking at levels of employment, health, physical activity, air quality, car ownership, road accidents, walking and cycling, and bus and rail services.

"Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent public engagement that captured residents' views on the issues faced in their communities and potential transport interventions. This feedback has been used to help shape the final proposals.

"We are confident in presenting a strong bid which is not only deliverable but meets the fund's core objectives."

If Lancashire's bid is successful, more detailed proposals will be developed with input from partners and with close engagement with residents, organisations and businesses.

The county council has also offered in-principle funding support to six Levelling Up Fund bids being made by district and borough council's from its own £5million Levelling Up Investment Fund.

It is hoped this support will increase the chances of these partner council's having a successful bid.

The council's being supported are Preston City Council, Chorley Council, West Lancashire Borough Council, Rossendale Borough Council, Hyndburn Borough Council and Fylde Borough Council.

Cllr Riggott added: "All of these bids are really exciting and will make a real difference to their areas. We're proud to be backing all of them."

Find out more at Lancashire's Levelling Up Fund Bid - Lancashire County Council