Local partnership ‘We are Colchester’ has confirmed that its bid to deliver an ambitious set of projects as part of the Town Deal Fund has been fully supported by the government.
Colchester has been awarded the full £18.2m from the Government’s Town Deal fund to invest in projects that will directly benefit residents across the borough.
Another £1m in Town Deal funding for ‘accelerated’ schemes at Balkerne Gate and St Nicholas Square was awarded in September 2020.
The first instalment of £5.8m, for 2022/23, will be directed towards a range of projects developed by engaging residents to identify their priorities. Over 1000 people submitted their views last summer and these were used to refine several projects located across the town.
The list of We Are Colchester projects submitted to the government in June 2021 now set to benefit from the new funding includes:
Creation of digital working hubs and grow-on space in the AIXR Centre for Immersive Innovation to be built on the site of the former bus depot in Queen Street
Transforming facilities for young people
A digital skills hub at the Wilson Marriage Centre (Magdalene Street)
Public realm improvements in the town centre, including new public space fronting the housing development at the former Essex County Hospital
Restoration of Holy Trinity Church (Lion Walk) and the first phase in restoring ‘Jumbo’
Transformation of community facilities in Greenstead
The accelerated introduction of 5G infrastructure to enable the delivery of VR tourism initiatives and other options
Improved walking and cycling links between the Town Centre, Greenstead and the University, as well as the launch of Essex Pedal Power allowing eligible residents over the age of 12 to apply for a new FREE quality bicycle
