THE UK Government has confirmed funding is still in place for a £12m revamp of a Wirral town following its budget announcement last week.
The news has been welcomed by local politicians who said there were “exciting possibilities for Liscard” to reach “its full potential as a vibrant and thriving town centre.”
Liscard was one of 55 projects across the country to have been selected to receive cash from round three of Levelling Up grants though £10.7m given by the government fell short of what the council asked for by £1.3m. Councillors decided to plug this gap back in January to help move the project forward.
However, doubts were cast over the project as the government reviewed all spending ahead of its October budget which was announced to the House of Commons on October 30. Wirral Council officers had raised concerns the project may run into difficulties if delays continued.
In the budget last week, the government confirming funding would remain for core Levelling Up projects awarded under the previous Conservative government. Liscard’s Labour councillors claimed the funding “left in doubt after the revelation of the previous Conservative Government’s £22 billion budget black hole” but had been “rescued” by the new Labour government.
In December 2023, people along the town’s high street told the LDRS they wanted to see a wider variety of shops, streets cleaned, antisocial behaviour tackled, and pavements and roads improved as part of investment into the town. There were also calls for a new community hub.
Wirral Council plans for the area include a new community hub, new homes on Seaview Road car park, and other improvements to the town centre. However according to a report published in September, a timeline was only given for one project in Liscard.
This would see the town’s high street improved with construction work expected to take place between June and October 2025 and finished by March 2026.
However no timeline was been given for the new community hub or redevelopment of Seaview Road car park. Of the £765,672 awarded for both of these projects so far, zero pounds had been spent by July while £22,219 has been spent on developing plans to improve the town centre.
Liscard councillor Janette Williamson praised Wallasey MP Dame Angela Eagle for her support, adding: “We have kept up the pressure as your Labour councillors to ensure that Liscard is not overlooked. We are delighted that Angela Rayner, as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has recognised the exciting possibilities for Liscard, and look forward to ensuring it reaches its full potential as a vibrant and thriving town centre.”
Councillor James Laing said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Liscard. The funding will help us address long-standing issues and build a stronger, more resilient community. We look forward to working with residents to make the most of this investment and ensure that it benefits the whole community.”
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