Sandwell’s ambitious Towns Fund Programme has taken a huge step forward, with £23.5m funding for all five Smethwick regeneration projects given the go-ahead by the government.
Over the past 18 months, the Superboard, Smethwick Local Boards and key delivery partners including Sandwell Council, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust have worked to shape and develop all five Smethwick projects. The confirmation that the funding allocation has now been unlocked means Sandwell can forge ahead with delivering the transformative projects, which aim to engage, inspire and connect the town communities for generations to come.
Together the projects will have the power to positively impact all our residents in different ways, enriching lives and helping to build a better future. As it is a five-year programme, projects will come to life at different points during this period.
The five Smethwick projects are:
Ron Davis Centre Expansion (Sandwell Council) the development of the learning centre for adults aged 19+ will provide a greater range of services to the wider Smethwick community, increasing the quality and breadth of local skills.
Midland Met Learning Campus (Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust) a major new skills resource next to the Midland Met University Hospital development, providing training in health care and healthcare-related positions.
Grove Lane Regeneration (Sandwell Council) the acquisition and remediation of a selected site within the area to accelerate regeneration for housing delivery.
Rolfe Street Canalside Regeneration (Sandwell Council) the demolition and remediation of the site to free up land for a development-ready location, which will provide much needed housing to support the wider regeneration of the town.
Smethwick Connected (Sandwell Council) the scheme will improve access and connectivity within Smethwick by delivering cycling and walking infrastructure improvements, and enhance safety.
The five approved projects will deliver:
- 31 full-time equivalent jobs
- 155 temporary jobs
- 1,380 learners enrolled onto courses
- 30,000sqm of land remediated for future development
- 2.7km of new cycle ways
- 3.6km of new pedestrian paths.
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Councils cabinet member for regeneration and growth, said: “We welcome the government’s approval for our five Smethwick projects, which will make a real difference to our residents. By working together in partnership, we will strengthen our businesses, enhance our infrastructure, boost Sandwells entrepreneurial spirit, bring communities together and create a fairer, more resilient Sandwell.
Jude Thompson, Chair of Towns Fund Superboard, said: I’m extremely proud that Smethwick projects have been approved and are moving ahead to the next stage. This is an amazing opportunity for everyone involved to help shape the local area for the future. These projects will make a difference to so many local people lives and our communities.
Alan Taylor, Chair of Smethwick Local Board, said: The Smethwick Towns Fund is a valuable opportunity to make a real difference to the people and businesses of Smethwick and the wider area of Sandwell. I believe that these investments, together with the Smethwick Connected transport infrastructure projects, will help Smethwick prepare to for the next successful part of its history.
Sandwell Council has worked in partnership with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Canal & River Trust, Greets Green Community Enterprise Centre and Sandwell College (Sandwell Towns Fund Partnership) to help secure £67.5million Towns Fund investment in total for Sandwell. This is the largest amount for any local authority area under the Towns Fund programme.
To date, eight out of 16 projects have been approved by the government. Sandwell Towns Fund Partnership looks forward to receiving a response from the government on the Rowley Regis Town Deal projects and the remaining West Bromwich projects in due course.
