Nelson puts in two bids for government regeneration funds

Pendle Borough Council has made two bids for government cash, the first for a safer and greener Nelson and the second to be invested in upgrading the town's parks.

Nelson is hoping to access the investment from the government’s Towns Fund after being one of the 100 towns selected to be eligible for £25m investment.

The first bid, for £3.5m, would be used to make Nelson more accessible and safer for pedestrians and cyclists with improved traffic flow for drivers.

The first phase of work would involve improvements to the busy Leeds Road / New Scotland Road junction and could get underway from April 2023. Plans also include tree planting to create a greener and more attractive town centre.

The second bid, for £590,000, would be used to improve three parks as part of the Healthy Town plan which has been designed to help address poor health and wellbeing in the town’s community, including childhood obesity.

Pendle Council’s Environmental Services would also contribute £2,500. The business case will now go to the government for approval to release the funding.

Coun Nadeem Ahmed, leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: "Nelson’s parks are a huge asset for Pendle as a whole and we’re immensely grateful to Nelson Town Council for providing extra funding to make a bigger difference.

"If we get the go-ahead from the government, our plans to improve Marsden, Victoria and Walverden Parks with new facilities and activities can forge ahead. People of all ages will be able to enjoy a more active lifestyle in our parks."

In total, there are eight projects that the Nelson Town Deal board is overseeing as part of a ten-year plan for a brighter Nelson.

Stephen Barnes, chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board said: “All the Nelson Town Deal projects have the power to transform our town with wider benefits all Pendle residents can enjoy. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are making the most of it!”