Michael Gove is the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities
(Picture: Leon Neal / Getty Images)The Government has announced the funding for round two of its Levelling Up project, with a number of London schemes set to benefit.
More than £2 billion has been allocated to projects across the UK in this round, with areas like Hackney and Lewisham awarded funds.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs, and spread opportunity everywhere.
“That’s why we are backing more than 100 projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities across the United Kingdom.
“By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”
What is the Levelling Up project?
The Levelling Up project was first announced as part of Boris Johnson’s 2019 election campaign
Its aim is to improve living standards, make areas safer, protect health and wellbeing, improve public transport, and invest in high streets and two centres.
The Government will be allocating £4.8 billion to the project in total, which will help schemes in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
What is the Landmark Levelling Up Fund?
Round two of the Levelling Up fund has awarded £2.1 billion to more than 100 projects around the UK.
Nearly £700 million is dedicated to developing better transport links and more than £800 million will go to community regeneration.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “We are firing the starting gun on more than 100 transformational projects in every corner of the UK that will revitalise communities that have historically been overlooked but are bursting with potential.
“This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth, and help to restore local pride. We are delivering on the people’s priorities, levelling up across the UK to ensure that, no matter where you are from, you can go as far as your talents will take you.”
London schemes awarded Levelling Up fund money
A number of projects across London have been awarded money, including Whitechapel, Walthamstow, and Lewisham.
Whitechapel Road
Whitechapel Road will receive £9 million in funding to “make the area more accommodating for pedestrians and cyclists, encourage more people to live and visit, and support the local economy”.
Changes include a pedestrian corridor, and more trees, seats, and lighting. Funding for Whitechapel Market will go towards user-friendly stalls, better access to the bus stop, and adding new toilets.
Hackney Central
Hackney Central will receive £19 million that will improve public spaces like the Town Hall Square, create a new creative workspace, and invest in Hackney Central Library.
Hackney Central was designated as a regeneration area due to the major challenges it faces, such as “entrenched inequalities, poor health and wellbeing, high crime, and responding to the climate crisis.”
Newham
Nearly £20 million of the Levelling Up fund will go to Newham, to “unlock the benefits of the Olympic legacy at Stratford” and “capitalise on the Enterprise Zone in the Royal Docks”.
The Connections to Opportunities programme aims to improve digital access and create new spaces for learning. The programme will also create safe, accessible walking and cycling routes in Newham.
Walthamstow
Walthamstow will receive £17 million to “unlock [its] potential as an inclusive, safe, welcoming cultural destination”.
Cultural hubs will be created to boost the area’s creative economy, while cultural spaces will transform Walthamstow’s public spaces, making the area safer, more accessible, and more attractive.
Tottenham
£20 billion of the fund will go to the Selby Urban Village project in North Tottenham. The Selby Community Centre will be transformed into a new community and leisure hub.
A new inclusive community park is also planned.
South Kilburn
South Kilburn will receive £7.7 million to support developments of the Enterprise Hub in The Granville building, improve a range of community facilities, and provide new housing.
Lewisham
Lewisham will receive £19 million to update its town centre by revitalising the marketplace, creating a flagship Culture and Business Hub, and improving its walking and cycling infrastructure.
Camden
Camden, and its adjacent areas (Gospel Oak, Haverstock, and Kentish Town South), will receive £7.7 million to improve physical and community infrastructure.
Cycling and walking infrastructure will be improved, as well as accessible facilities and green spaces.
Nine Elms
£800,000 has been awarded to the World Heart Beat Music Academy to invest in and create an innovative music education centre and a concert venue.
The investment aims to benefit young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and will provide a platform for a range of artists.
Colindale and Leyton
The Levelling Up fund will allocate £43 million to two London Underground stations, making them step-free, to make it easier for those with disabilities. The schemes will also support the delivery of new, affordable homes in Barnet and Waltham Forest.
Barking and Dagenham
Barking and Dagenham will receive £10.9 million to provide new homes, safeguard jobs, and reduce crime.
