Millions of pounds of government funding is to be spent in the South West, improving transport, infrastructure and community and cultural projects. So far a total of £133.3m has been allocated to the region through the so-called levelling up fund and the UK community ownership fund.
According to the government, the cash will help save local community assets; regenerate town centres and high streets; invest in cultural and heritage assets; and upgrade local transport.
The largest single sum being spent in the region is in Cornwall, with the Council of the Isles of Scilly provisionally awarded £48.4m to provide better sea links to the islands.
The planned improvements include a more accessible passenger service; protecting access to work, education and health services; sustaining economic activity and encouraging new investment locally; and offering affordable travel for residents.
Elsewhere in the region, Gloucester is to be given £20m to regenerate the city centre. Plans for the funding include the redevelopment of the former Debenhams on the corner of The Oxeblade and Northgate Street. Last year, the University of Gloucestershire was granted planning permission to transform the department store into its new city campus.
The University of Gloucester’s plans for the building include an information centre for 4,700 students and up to 450 staff from the university; a digitally enabled public library; and a drop-in wellbeing centre.
A share of the £20m will also be used to support the restoration of the 500-year-old grade I and II listed Fleece Hotel - as part of a mixed-use scheme - and to support a digital innovation and incubation centre for small and medium-sized businesses.
A number of transport investments will also be made in the South West, including in Somerset and Plymouth.
Bridgwater is being given £10m, with the cash being used to make improvements to the A38 Dunball roundabout and Cross Rifles roundabout. There will also be an extension and improvement of walking and cycle routes including signal-controlled crossing points.
Meanwhile, Plymouth has been allocated £19.9m for transport improvements, including increasing parking and introducing electric vehicle charging points at the George Park and Ride; improving capacity on the A386 Tavistock Road; and upgrading the Woolwell Roundabout.
South West areas to receive levelling up funding
Bristol
£300,000 re-opens Hartcliffe City Farm
Cornwall
£240,000 of support for Prince of Wales pub in Newtown-in-St-Martin
£48.4m allocated to improve the Isle of Scilly's sea links
Devon
Transport improvements for Plymouth with £19.9m allocation
Dorset
Dorset village shop saved with £200,000 award
Gloucestershire
Gloucester city centre’s £20m regeneration
£12.8m allocation for Gloucester's cycle corridor
£20m investment for sports and leisure in Forest of Dean
The George Cafe to be transformed with support of almost £250,000
£175,000 allocated to Wye Valley pub
Somerset
£10m for improvements to Bridgwater's transport infrastructure
Wiltshire
The Silks on the Downs pub saved with almost £240,000 support
