Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison MP visited Stocksbridge in north Sheffield yesterday to find out more about the ambitious £24.1m plans to regenerate the town.

Stocksbridge has been awarded the investment through the Government’s Towns Fund programme to deliver ten key projects for the town. It is one of 101 towns chosen to develop a Town Investment Plan through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Ms Davison met the Co-Chairs of the Towns Fund Board Miriam Cates MP and Yuri Matischen during her visit to South Yorkshire and was updated on progress and the next steps in the plans for Stocksbridge.

The funding was confirmed in December last year and it’s hoped that work will start on site on the first project later in the year.  A key part of the Stocksbridge Town Deal is the plan to redevelop the Manchester Road area where survey work has also started this week.

The town centre regeneration plans will deliver a brand new library and community hub on the current library site with new workspace and a learning area for adult education. There are plans to make much needed improvements to the public realm as well as a major upgrade to the Manchester Road precinct – including a shop front grant scheme.

Other projects across the town will deliver brand new sporting and recreation facilities and investment in walking and cycling trails. A new hydrotherapy pool at the Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre is planned as well as a local hopper bus service for the local community.

Miriam Cates MP said: “This investment is a fantastic opportunity and so important for Stocksbridge, we were delighted to be able to talk through our plans and vision for the town with the Minister who has a real understanding of what we are working to achieve.

“It is great to have her support for our projects and we’re looking forward to inviting the Minister back to Stocksbridge when work gets underway in the coming months.”

The Towns Fund board is made up of people reflecting Stocksbridge and the local authority with Sheffield City Council as the responsible authority to deliver the town’s investment plan.

To keep up to date with the latest news about the Stocksbridge Towns Fund visit the website at www.welcometostocksbridge.co.uk

Photograph shows Howard Varns (Programme Manager, Sheffield City Council) Miriam Cates MP, Dehenna Davison MP, Yuri Matischen.