Bootle and Crosby are on track to each get a whopping £20 Million for regeneration projects courtesy of the Governments ‘Levelling Up Fund’. Sefton Council is being asked to approve bids that will help support the ongoing regeneration of Bootle, which include the Bootle Area Action plan and the transformation of the town centre. An interactive ‘Flying Cinema’ is one of the projects in the pipeline, alongside plans that are already in place for a food, drink and events space on Bootle Canalside.
Everton Football Club is supporting the levelling up funding bid as they have a vested interest in the area thanks to the location of their new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock. Improving transport links between the stadium and Bootle town centre will form part of the plan, as will regeneration of the canal and towpath areas between the town centre and the stadium.
Plans for Crosby will aim to increase visitor numbers to the town centre and attract more investment to the area. A community hub that will comprise a library, a cafe, community healthcare services and new residential accommodation will form an essential aspect of the plans for Crosby. Making the village more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists is also one of the aims of the plans.
The primary emphasis of all the bids is the community. The aim is for community engagement and involvement to be at the heart of the process moving forward, with particular emphasis on the views of the younger members of the community.
Things are most definitely looking up for Bootle and Crosby. Watch this space!
Photo by Christopher Bill on Unsplash
