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Will Quince MP announces Colchester's success in the Levelling Up Fund |
I am delighted that, with the support from the Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr Kevin Bentley and the former Leader of The City of Colchester Council, Paul Dundas, I have helped secure £19.66m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund Round 2.
The cultural and shopping experiences around St Botolph's have been in desperate need of improvement, for a variety of reasons this part of Colchester has been left behind other areas. I know that for years people ha
ve found the underpass and surrounding area of St Botolph's roundabout to be uninviting and this £19.66m grant will leverage huge opportunities to address this.
There will be major public realm improvements including a new public square by the Roman City Wall in Vineyard Street, enhanced retail frontages, brownfield regeneration which will see the creation of residential units.
There will be a new step-free pedestrian access to the railway station, improved historic interpretation and access through St Botolph’s Priory, and creation of a new heritage walking route. St Botolph's Roundabout itself will be redesigned to create better movement of people in a safer fashion befitting of a 21st century modern city.
This regeneration fund bid was only possible by a joined-up approach between the then Conservative-led City of Colchester Council and Essex County Council. I am looking forward to seeing the results of this exciting opportunity for Colchester.
I am also grateful to the current Administration running Colchester City Council for submitting the bid and for their collaboration in bringing forward this exciting new plan for a historic part of the City of Colchester.
Will Quince MP
Member of Parliament for Colchester
