Town receives funding for 'deprived' neighbourhood

Sir Ashley Fox welcomed the funding as "good news for Bridgwater"

A town has received £20m in funding to improve "some of its most deprived neighbourhoods".

The Bridgwater South neighbourhood was the only one within the Somerset Council area to receive funding from the government's Pride in Place programme which benefitted 169 neighbourhoods across the UK.

The funding can be spent on projects which are designed to increase social mobility, improve access to local services and encourage greater community spirit.

Sir Ashley Fox, the Conservative MP for Bridgwater, welcomed the funding as "good news for Bridgwater" and he said he would continue to push the government to fund regeneration projects elsewhere in his constituency.

The 169 neighbourhoods included in phase two were selected based upon the government's "index of multiple deprivation", which includes unemployment and crime rates.

Mr Fox said: "Bridgwater has already benefited from almost £45m through the town deal and levelling-up funding from the last government.

"This additional £20m over the next 10 years will build on that investment and help deliver further improvements for Bridgwater.

"I am, however, disappointed that Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge was not included, particularly as there are some acute needs in parts of those communities."

Numerous regeneration projects in Bridgwater have been delayed, with the Celebration Mile roadworks dragging on for more than a year and improvements to the Northgate Docks being pushed back to 2026.

Somerset Council has not yet confirmed how soon the money could be spent or on what it would be spent.

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said: "We are very much looking forward to working closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to understand the specific details and how this funding can be used most effectively to support Bridgwater's continued revitalisation."