£15.3m boost for Halewood will 'accelerate' town's transformation

Graham Morgan said communities will "get the improved services and facilities they deserve"

A £15.3m funding boost will "accelerate" plans to transform a town, the borough's council leader has said.

The money, from government's Levelling Up Fund, will see upgrades to leisure facilities and transport in Halewood in Knowsley.

Plans include new playing pitches, cycles lanes and pedestrian routes.

Knowsley Council leader Graham Morgan said communities will "get the improved services and facilities they deserve".

He added that the money would "complement and enhance the significant package of investment already taking place in Halewood".

Improvements are planned for Halewood Leisure Centre

Plans for sports and leisure include new and improved playing pitches at Wood Road Green Space and at the Halewood Leisure Centre, along with upgrades to its other facilities.

New cycling and pedestrian routes will also be put in, and some funding will be spent on new trees and street furniture.

Resident Jacklyn Schofield said she was "very pleased" at the investment, which she said was "a sign things are starting to turn around for the better".

Resident Jacklyn Schofield said the area was "starting to turnaround for the better"

Keeley Roberts, who own's Keeley's Cafe at the Halewood Shopping Centre, said although the investment in playing fields for children was "fantastic" she was concerned a new community café would be bad for her business.

"I was told they are building a café but if that gets built I just know I'll have to close down," she said.

"I'm struggling like a lot of people are right now. They're planning to make it so there are three cafés within a mile of each other."

The Levelling Up plans are part of the Halewood Investment Masterplan which will see a total of £30m invested in the area.