Heritage fund created for high streets

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright has promised a £62M heritage fund to preserve historic high street buildings.

The heritage fund will be used to repair disused buildings and transform them into creative spaces, offices, shops, and housing. This forms part of the secretary’s plan to adapt historic high streets to changing spending habits.

The government’s plan for reviving high streets was announced in last year’s budget and included a £675M future high streets fund. The funding comes alongside other programmes such as the plan to regenerate parts of Coventry ahead of its 2021 City of Culture year.

Jeremy Wright said: “Our heritage makes communities more attractive places to live, work and visit.”

“This £62M investment will breathe new life into high streets right across the country, benefiting local people and businesses, as well as providing assistance to much-loved historic buildings.”

“It is right that we do all we can to not only protect our heritage, but make it work for modern life so it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.”

The £62M funding will include:

• £44M of government and Historic England funding to create dozens of High Streets Heritage Action Zones overseen by Historic England.
• £3M from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support a cultural programme to engage people in the life and history of their high streets.
• £15M for the Architectural Heritage Fund to support social enterprise organisations.

The funding builds on the success of projects in Margate, Grantham, and Derby where the redevelopment of Derby Cathedral Quarter brought nearly 100 properties and more than 2,700sq m of commercial floor space back into use through Historic England’s Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas. There are currently 18 Heritage Action Zones across England and it is expected that this new funding will see the creation of 40 – 50 more.

The Historic England funding will allow councils and other local authorities to access expert advice on reviving historic buildings and adapting high streets for the future. Many locations across the UK will benefit from the funding which the government hopes will help struggling high streets are an attractive place to visit even as more people shop online.

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Plans revealed for London regeneration project

The first plans have been submitted by Havering Council and Wates Residential for a regeneration project in London.

The regeneration project focuses on a new housing development at Napier and New Plymouth. The site is one of 12 in the borough which will generate 3,000 new homes over the next 15 years.

The project aims to increase the number of council-rented homes and provide affordable housing to residents. The Napier and New Plymouth site plans include 126 affordable family homes and 71 for private sale.

Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, said: “After months in the planning, it is exciting to see us entering the next phase in our ambitious regeneration programme.”

“This project will provide much-needed quality, affordable homes for local people in our special borough. It will leave behind a legacy of skills, training, jobs and aspiration which goes far beyond just bricks and mortar.”

The plans for the site include large green spaces and recreational areas. There is also an emphasis on creating spaces for wildlife, with trees, bat boxes, and plants to encourage bee populations.

The plans were formed around feedback given at public consultations and the project is also providing a training programme to teach residents business skills. Havering Council and Wates Residential have emphasised their commitment to investing in the local area, including providing training and skills and employing local SMEs to work on the development.

Local firm Kilnbridge Construction Services has been awarded the contracts for demolition of Napier and New Plymouth Houses and a two-storey car park on Dunedin Road. The demolition work will run alongside the decision-making process, where Havering Council will assess the plans for the site.

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Department for Transport announces investment in Northern green transport

An investment of over £600M has been announced to provide low-carbon green transport for the North to fight transport emissions.

The investment will increase green transport infrastructure in the region and encourage people to use electric and hybrid cars. The money will also go towards low-carbon public transport and cycling routes.

The funding will provide around 100 low-carbon buses, charge points for electric bikes, and an e-cargo bike fund to encourage businesses to use greener vehicles for deliveries. Councils and businesses are encouraged to apply for funding to add to the money already invested by the government.

Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, said: “We’re determined to make our transport greener than ever, and through the Transforming Cities Fund and investment in improving electric vehicle infrastructure, we’re making great strides in achieving that across the region.”

“But local authorities and businesses have a key role to play if we want to accelerate the use of low-carbon transport and clean up our air. I urge them to take advantage of the funding available as we move together towards a zero-emission future – and to a Green Northern Powerhouse.”

The Transforming Cities fund has already invested £576M across the North, which has gone towards electric taxi charge points and ultra-low-carbon buses. It is hoped the fund will address air quality in cities and encourage the use of electric vehicles.

Funding is available for environmentally sound transport schemes including:

• on-street residential ChargePoint Scheme (£2.5M)
• Future Mobility Zones Fund (£70M)
• e-cargo bike grant fund (£2M)
• Workplace Charging Scheme (£500 per ChargePoint socket and £10,000 per business)
• Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (£500 per ChargePoint socket).

Local authorities are encouraged to apply for funding, with two organisations so far applying for ChargePoint funding. The government published a strategy last year to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles to zero within the next 20 years, eliminating diesel and petrol vehicles completely.

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Government releases advice on British Steel collapse

The government has released advice for employees and customers on how they will be affected by the British Steel collapse.

The information covers how trading, employment, and production will work in the face of the British Steel collapse. British Steel Ltd was ordered into compulsory liquidation by the High Court and appointed the Official Receiver as liquidator.

The Official Liquidator will be assisted by Hunter Kelly, Alan Hudson, and Sam Woodward of the EY acting as Special Managers. They will keep employees and customers informed of any changes.

A statement from the Official Reciever reads: “The immediate priority following my appointment as liquidator of British Steel is to continue safe operation of the site. I appreciate that this a difficult time for the company’s employees and I want to thank them for their ongoing cooperation.”

“The company in liquidation is continuing to trade and supply its customers while I consider options for the business. Staff have been paid and will continue to be employed. The court also appointed Special Managers to assist me with my work and they are engaging with staff and their representatives to keep them informed, as well as contacting British Steel’s customers.”

Staff will continue to be employed while the company is in liquidation. A staff helpline has been created (0161 333 2666) and special managers will keep staff informed of any changes during the process.

Trading will also continue during the liquidation process and special managers are contacting customers with any updates. Businesses that have worked with British steel or supplied goods are also being contacted to keep them updated on the company.

An email alert has been set up so those interested can receive the latest information about the liquidation of the company. New information will also be published on the UK government website.

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Garden community planned for Exeter

The Minister of State for Housing has announced plans for a garden community in Greater Exeter with 20,000 new homes.

Kit Malthouse MP announced £75,000 of government funding to develop the garden community, including project teams, major planning, and studies to predict the impact of increased housing. The development is being worked on by Exeter City Council, East Devon Council and Teignbridge District Council and it is expected that the homes will be complete by 2040.

The development will join 28 existing garden communities in the area which are currently being supported by the government. The government is promising high-quality homes in a picturesque area that will help revive the local community.

The Minister of State for Housing Kit Malthouse MP said: “This is fantastic news for Exeter and the surrounding area.”

“We are making an urgent push to build more, better, faster, and it is good to see the authorities working together to plan 20,000 much-needed properties built in Devon.”

“This project is the next latest step towards meeting our aim of building 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s, in the areas where people need them the most.”

The development is part of a deal to provide housing for the South West, which forms part of the government’s plan to provide new housing across the country. The government is also aiming for sustainable and affordable homes to ensure more young people can enter the property market and that housing is fit for the future.

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Upgrades revealed for trans-Pennine route

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has revealed options for a £1Bn upgrade for the A66 trans-Pennine road.

The trans-Pennine road which links Cumbria with the East of England will receive an upgrade including new dual carriageways and bypasses. Highways England is developing further options for upgrades to benefit both motorists and freight delivery.

Public consultations are being held to allow members of the public to offer feedback on the proposals. The options include:

• Allowing through traffic from the M6 or the northeast
• Dualling the existing three-mile section between Penrith and Temple Sowerby and adding a new junction and bypass
• A new bypass north or south of Kirkby Thore and north of Crackenthorpe
• Providing an upgrade of the five-mile single carriageway between Appleby and Brough
• Re-designing and improving the junction with the A67 at Bowes
• Dualling the existing road between Cross Lane and Rookley with options for a short bypass at the eastern end of the 1.8-mile section
• Similarly, dualling the existing four-mile section between Stephen Bank and Carkin Moor but with options for additional short bypasses.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said: “The A66 connects businesses, communities and families across the north of England, and this highly anticipated upgrade is great news for the local, and regional economies and will improve the national road network.”

“We’re pleased to be going out to the local community to consult on the options for the scheme. I would like to thank all our local partners who have supported us to get the project to this stage and I would encourage everyone with an interest in the scheme to get involved with this consultation.”

Consultations will also allow for feedback on how the options will impact local areas, including cycling and walking routes. Further consultations will be taking place with more information available at www.highwaysengland.co.uk/A66TransPennine.

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New light rail system planned for Cork

A €3.5Bn transport plan for Cork will include a light rail system that connects the city as well as bus lanes and railway stations.

A €1Bn light rail system between Ballincollig and Mahon Point via the city centre, as well as eight new railway stations and 100km of bus lanes, are contained in a radical new transport plan for Cork. The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040 promises enhanced transport and was created by Cork City Council, Cork County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

The plan includes:

• A high-frequency east-west bus corridor, as a precursor to a Luas-like system, and a north-south corridor, with a link to Cork Airport, as well as six strategic park-and-ride sites;
• New commuter rail stations at Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, and Blackpool/Kilbarry, on the Mallow line and at Tivoli, Dunkettle, Ballynoe, Carrigtwohill West and Water Rock, on the Cobh/Midleton line, and upgrades to stations in Cork, Cobh, and Mallow;
• The electrification of the suburban rail network in Cork and the addition of 10km of dual track between Cobh Junction and Midleton, as part of a €274M investment in rail services;
• 100km of new bus lanes added to the existing 14km, under the NTA’s €545m Bus Connects plan.

A spokesperson from the National Transport Authority said: “This demand needs to be managed and planned for carefully to safeguard and enhance Cork’s attractiveness to live, work, visit, and invest in.“

It is hoped the plan will create employment and generate new housing in Tivoli and the City Docks. The light rail system connecting Ballincollig and Mahon Point, via St Patrick’s St and Kent Station, will have 25 stops and Trams could carry 46m passengers per year, with journey times of 27 minutes from Ballincollig to the city centre.

Despite the emphasis on public transport, €1.4Bn will be spent on road projects, including the Dunkettle interchange upgrade, the M28 motorway to Ringaskiddy, the Cork North Ring Road, and upgrade of the South Ring Road. The NTA says Cork will be the fastest-growing city-region in Ireland, with a projected 50%-60% increase in its population by 2040.

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