Some news to lift your spirits on a Monday morning: the 17 projects in Southampton that will receive a share of £1.5 million being injected into the city from the Labour government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund have been revealed.
And nine of them are right here in my constituency of Southampton Itchen!
I went down to the Veracity Ground in Merryoak, just one of the areas that will benefit from funding, to speak to local Labour ward councillor Simon Letts about how the money will be used for new play and gym equipment and improvements to the pump track and pavilion.
Alongside the £20m Pride in Place funding specifically for Weston, today’s news is yet another example of how we’re working together – government, MP, Labour councillors, and council – to turbocharge positive improvements in your neighbourhood, right across the city.
The full list of projects across Southampton :
– Sturminster House play area and multi-use games area (£100,000)
– Riverside Park replacement skate park (£275,000)
– Houndwell Park replacement play area equipment (£200,000)
– Peartree Common replacement play area kit (£150,000)
– Girls in Parks improvements through group consultation to make parks and play more ‘girl friendly’ (£100,000)
– Portswood Library upgrade toilet facilities, kitchenette and front door (£40,000)
– Support creation of UK’s first cognitive assistive technology centre in Southampton at Lordshill Library (£20,000)
– Establishing a multi-agency community hub in Woolston Library following pilot scheme (£30,000)
– Creation of multi-agency community hub in response to anti-social behaviour in Shirley Library (£100,000)
– ‘Green Mile’ project to transform urban corridor from London Road to The Avenue and Northlands Road (£50,000)
– Veracity Ground upgrades with new play and gym equipment, pump track and pavilion improvements (£100,000)
– Old Town heritage restoration outside the West Gate, new benches in two parks and restoring lamp in St Michael’s Square (£50,000)
– Northam Community Centre internal and external improvements with essential maintenance, repairs and upgrades (£150,000) – Hoglands Park lockable gates to prevent illegal use (£20,000) – Freshfield Park enhancements to existing green with play area and dog exercise space (£30,000)
– Restoration of the Compton Organ at the Guildhall (£25,000)
– Infrastructure outside Thornhill Primary School to tackle parents parking on pavements and verges (£50,000)