A £1 million package of community improvement projects has been completed in Cleator Moor and Millom.
Copeland council successfully applied for £500,000 for each town at the end of 2020 and has used the grants to fund – or part-fund – a series of key projects across both areas.
This has included significant upgrades to sporting, leisure and play facilities, improvements to the cycling/walking infrastructure, and a cultural/digital trail.
Copeland council received the accelerated Government grants to fund immediate projects in each town while full investment plans were being developed by the respective Town Deal Boards.
Cleator Moor has since been offered £22.5 million, while an announcement on Millom’s bid is expected in the next tranche.
This accelerated funding has financed, or part-financed, the following schemes:
Cleator Moor:
- A new 3G multi-sports pitch and improved fencing and lighting at Cleator Moor Activity Centre
- An upgrade to the Jacktrees Road Play Park, including a toddler zone (with seesaws, a swing and crocodile bench), inclusive zone (with a tower climbing frame, a five-way swing and a cableway) and an active zone (with an obstacle course and a cross-training zone for work-outs, all complemented by a free mobile app displaying work-out routines)
- Two new multi-user paths to improve access points to the C2C cycle track; one from Jacktrees Road and the other from Leconfield Industrial Estate
Millom
- An upgrade of Millom Play Park, including new state-of-the-art climbing towers, groups swings and spinning attractions.
- An upgrade of Haverigg Play Park, including new team swings, climbing frame and slide (work will be completed by the end of June)
- A new multi-use and accessible track at Millom School, for the use of the school, Millom Striders Running Club and available to be booked by the wider community
- A new digital app to guide people on a series of trails around the Millom area, inspired by the poetry of Norman Nicholson
Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland, said: “These fantastic projects are already delivering tremendous benefits for the people of Cleator Moor and Millom.
“The play parks in Cleator Moor and Millom are already being extremely well used and it’s wonderful to see young families enjoying the facilities so much – and I’m sure the one in Haverigg will be equally as popular when it opens soon.
“The new 3G pitch in Cleator Moor is a world-class facility for the area and is already in high demand from our local sports clubs and enthusiasts, and the running track in Millom is an equally prized asset for the community.
“Credit goes to everyone from Copeland council who has worked so hard to deliver this funding and these projects, and our thanks go to everyone who has partnered with the council on the various schemes, from Towns Boards, Town Councils and sports clubs to community volunteers; none of this could be achieved without this level of community support and hard work.
“And we are confident that this is just the start for both towns; Cleator Moor Town Deal Board has already secured £22.5m in Government funding and we are hoping for a similarly successful outcome for Millom.”
Kayleigh Daniels, Chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, said: “These projects provide something the whole town can benefit from and it’s been great to see them come to life.
“The play park has been bustling with families and children since its opening, and Age UK has recently launched a new walking football programme for older people on the new multi-use sport pitch. There really is something for everyone.”
Robert Morris-Eyton, chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “I am delighted that Millom and Haverigg have the much-needed new facilities which will provide a real boost to our residents’ and visitors’ enjoyment of our wonderful area for many years to come. This is hopefully a taster of further projects to come with the Town Deal funding.”
