New fund to reinvigorate Rotherham towns and villages

Rotherham Borough Council is set to launch a £4m fund to help reinvigorate town and village centres across the borough.

The Towns and Villages Improvement Fund is part of its 2021/22 budget, which goes before full council next week.

If approved, it could be used to deliver a variety of physical improvements, identified as priorities by local people, organisations and ward councillors, including:

• Provision or replacement of street furniture, such as benches, planters, railings to improve the feel of the place, and encourage enhanced use
• Replacement of street lighting columns or improvement to lighting or CCTV to make places feel safe and secure.
• Improvement of shrub beds, planting or trees
• Improvements to pavements or other public infrastructure, to improve the look and feel of village and town centres

‘Our Rotherham Town Centre Masterplan and the numerous schemes we’re bringing forward to breathe new life into our main commercial centre are well-known, but as that work progresses it’s also right that where we can we also invest in our local centres,’ said cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott.

‘Attractive village and town centres enhance the wellbeing of our communities and people who use them day-in, day-out. What we are setting out in our budget proposals is new funding to help these areas feel more welcoming, which in turn will support businesses and the economic development of communities. As the scheme rolls out, we will be keen to hear what local residents would like to see in their areas.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay