- Six projects in the region receive grants from round two of flagship Levelling Up Fund
- Projects include boost for regeneration of Gateshead Quays, and £16 million for new film production village in Hartlepool town centre.
- Investment in historically overlooked areas will create jobs and economic growth
A new conference centre in Gateshead, a film production village in Hartlepool and a major green overhaul of public transport are among projects across the North East awarded a share of £2.1 billion landmark levelling up funding today.
Major government investment will benefit millions of people across the region by spreading opportunity and breathing new life into historically overlooked areas.
A total of 6 projects in the North East of England have been allocated more than £100 million from round two of the government’s flagship Levelling Up Fund. The projects will create jobs, drive economic growth, help restore people’s pride in the places where they live and spread opportunity more equally.
The grants include £20 million to level up hospitality in the North East by funding the regeneration of Gateshead Quays, which will transform the iconic waterfront, and over £16 million to boost creative industries in the region by building a new film production village in Hartlepool town centre.
There is also almost £20 million to modernise public transport across the region with a fleet of 52 electric busses, giving thousands of passengers more greener travel options.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.
“That’s why we are backing a number of projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities in the North East.
“By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:
“We are firing the starting gun on more than a hundred transformational projects in every corner of the UK that will revitalise communities that have historically been overlooked but are bursting with potential.
“This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth, and help to restore local pride. We are delivering on the people’s priorities, levelling up across the UK to ensure that no matter where you are from, you can go as far as your talents will take you.”
Projects in the North East awarded Levelling Up Fund grants today include:
- £20 million to help build a brand new arena, world class Exhibition Centre, hotels, bars, restaurants and walkways at Gateshead Quays which will create thousands of jobs and generate over £40 million for the local economy every year.
- £19.5 million of funding will deliver a fleet of 52 electric buses, 26 rapid chargers and 92 electric vehicle chargers across the North East in a huge boost for the region’s zero-carbon economy.
- Between Hexham and Bedlington, almost £15 million will build new, high quality cycling and pedestrian lanes to give people better, greener routes to work, major transport hubs and tourist attractions.
- A new Production Village for Hartlepool with over £16 million, providing new jobs and opportunities in the creative industries and boosting the local economy.
- £20 million investment in the Newham Grange highway scheme will unlock 800 homes in Middlesbrough, while new pedestrian and cycle tracks will better connect Guisborough town centre to Teesworks and the North York Moors National Park.
- Almost £18 million funding will deliver over 15km of new, high-quality cycling and walking routes across the Tees Valley, connecting communities to employment, training and education.
The major investment announced today follows the allocation of £1.7 billion to 105 projects from round one of the Levelling Up Fund in 2021– taking the total allocated so far from the fund to £3.8 billion.
The Government has also confirmed there will be a further round of the Levelling Up Fund, providing more opportunity to level up places across the UK.
