A NEW look website has been launched for the inspirational #BrilliantBarrow programme as its seven projects move forward through the crucial delivery phase.
#BrilliantBarrow received £25 million from the Government’s Towns Fund in February for the series of ambitious projects designed to ensure the area thrives as a great place to live, work and visit for decades to come.
Now, the programme has a new-look website to provide an array of information on each of its projects as well as the latest #BrilliantBarrow news and updates.
Steve Cole, Chief Infrastructure Officer at BAE Systems and chair of the #BrilliantBarrow Board, said: “Barrow was one of the first towns in the country not just to secure funding from the Towns Fund, but to do so at the maximum level of £25 million.
“Now we are in exciting territory. With the funding unlocked, work to deliver the seven projects is underway with each one set to be completed by 2026.
“The #BrilliantBarrow website has been given a new look and focus for this crucial stage in the process. We want to be able to highlight progress with the programme as it moves forward.
“I hope everyone takes the opportunity to visit the site as well as following the #BrilliantBarrow social media channels so they can stay up to date with opportunities to engage with the projects and with news of the work itself as it gets underway.”
The seven projects included in the #BrilliantBarrow programme are:
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Barrow Learning Quarter - a university campus facility on Barrow Island offering both further and higher education courses with 1400 places annually. In addition, improvements to Furness College’s Rating Lane campus will increase the number of college places available to 800.
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Community Wellbeing Hubs and Earnse Bay Outdoor Centre - Hubs at The Forum, in Barrow Town Centre, at Bram Longstaffe on Barrow Island and in Ormsgill will provide a home for activities and services for people in all stages of their lives. A new outdoor learning and community hub will also be created at Earnse Bay, on Walney.
- Business and Enterprise - A programme of bespoke business support will be available to residents, potential entrepreneurs and small to medium sized businesses, including community businesses and social enterprises, to harness economic opportunities in Barrow including those that exist within the supply chain.
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Brilliant Barrow Place Development - This project will improve event spaces in the town centre to allow a calendar of activities and events to be developed, attracting both residents and visitors to the area.
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Housing Renewal - Around 300 homes and a number of commercial properties in Rawlinson Street and Ferry Road on Barrow Island will undergo works and carbon reduction measures to improve the lives of residents as well as the overall perception of Barrow as a great place to live.
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Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure - Dedicated routes for cyclists and pedestrians will link key areas to make it easier, safer and more enjoyable to travel by bike or on foot, cutting the number of short car journeys to improve health and wellbeing, reduce carbon usage and contribute to cleaner air.
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Barrow Waterfront - This project will help bring forward remediation and development of the derelict waterfront site. The work will unlock the potential of the site allowing the private sector to construct a mixed range of new homesbringing people and families back into the heart of the town.
The projects will be delivered by a number of key partnership organisations across the area.
Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council and fellow #BrilliantBarrow board member, said: “The new look website gives people the chance to see how the programme is moving forward to deliver each of the projects, projects that will bring about positive changes and opportunity for the area and its residents.
“It’s a great way to learn about the #BrilliantBarrow story - so please take a look to see what’s happened so far and, most importantly, what’s coming next.”
To view the #BrilliantBarrow website, please visit: Brilliant Barrow – The Future of Barrow is Bright
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Notes to Editors
For immediate release.
On July 27, 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Towns Fund would support an initial 101 places across England to develop Town Deal proposals, to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. See further details of the announcement: PM speech at Manchester Science and Industry Museum - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between Government, the lead council and the Town Deal Board. It will set out a vision and strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision. See the 101 places being supported to develop Town Deals: list-of-100-places.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Each of the 101 towns selected to work towards a Town Deal also received accelerated funding last year for investment in capital projects that would have an immediate impact and help places “build back better” in the wake of Covid-19. View a list of accelerated funding by place: towns-fund-accelerated-funding-grants.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)