Millom has been awarded £29.3 million so it can thrive.
The once-in-a-generation financial boost to Millom has been delivered by the Government after the Millom Town Deal bid – submitted in July – was successful.
The Government has pledged £20.6million for the Town Deal, with a further £8.7 million coming from match funders.
Robert Morris-Eyton, chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “We are beyond delighted to learn that the Millom Town Deal has secured the funding offered by the government on a provisional basis last year.
“A huge amount of time, dedication, energy and expertise has been required to get us to this stage and I would like to place on record my thanks, on behalf of the Town Deal Board, to everybody who played a part in the process.
“Notwithstanding the last 12 months, we are, in many respects, at the beginning of a very exciting journey for Millom and Haverigg.
“We can now move forward with each of the projects and begin the process of making them a reality.”
The funding announcement has also been welcomed by Copeland Borough Council.
Mike Starkie, Copeland mayor, said: “This is a remarkable outcome for Millom and Haverigg. The four projects will touch on almost every aspect of life, making a positive difference now and for many years to come.
“I’m so pleased the funds have been confirmed and that we can now look towards the exciting delivery phase.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to the businesses and organisations that have supported the Town Deal by way of match funding. Their contributions are significant and will have a real impact.”
Working with Copeland Borough Council, the Millom Town Deal Board secured a provisional offer for the funds from the Government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund initiative last summer.
The funding was offered subject to the successful completion of a business case for each project.
The business cases, which confirm the positive impact and long lasting benefits the projects will deliver, will allow the promised money to be unlocked over the next four years.
In addition to the Government money, significant sums have been contributed by Sellafield, the NDA, Copeland Community Fund and CGP Books.
Further contributions have been made by Copeland Borough Council, Millom School and Millom Town Council.
The four projects in the Town Deal are:
- The Iron Line – A proposal to transform the unique coastal lagoon into an inspiring visitor attraction which fuses ecology, heritage and art by creating an inclusive recreational route across Hodbarrow and around the sea wall.
- Activating community health – The creation of a new, multi-purpose leisure hub to provide a range of facilities including a community swimming pool and 3G pitch.
- Reactivating Heritage Buildings – A proposal to significantly enhance Millom Town Centre by bringing derelict, vacant and underused heritage buildings back into active use to increase vitality and footfall.
- Connected Millom and Haverigg – Improving Millom’s transport network to create a gateway to the town at the railway station, while transforming cycling and walking infrastructure in both Millom and Haverigg.
Cleator Moor has been awarded £40.9 million as part of the town deal.
Trudy Harrison, Copeland MP, said: “It is truly fantastic news that both Cleator Moor and Millom have had their Town Deal funding confirmed, which will bring a staggering £70.2m into our communities.
“The announcement today from the Department of Levelling Up, Communities and Housing of £22.5m and £20.6m for Cleator Moor and Millom respectively – in addition to the £27.1m match-funding pledged – will be transformational for Copeland.
“Eight exciting projects across both towns will now become a reality, bringing about significant benefits in employment, regeneration, highways, leisure and tourism – both now and for generations to come.
“This is Levelling Up in action, and I would like to pay tribute to both town boards and their chairs, Copeland Borough Council and all those who have played a part in getting us to this milestone day.”
