Huge cash boost for East Bury

Residents in East and Redvales wards have been targeted for the cash, which will pay for a huge range of improvements over the next seven years.

Bury beat off competition from across the country to win £5 million from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) to kickstart the ambitious project.

And leaders of the successful bid, announced yesterday, Thursday, July 15, think the money will lever in a further £30 million from the public and private sectors.

Some 12,000 people live in the designated East Bury area, which runs from Chesham Fold through Topping Fold and down to the Springs estate. It is reckoned to have some of the worst housing, crime, unemployment and health in the borough. The project aims to improve people's well-being in the area, which has been declared a Health Action Zone, and to widen housing choice through new homes for sale and rent.

It will also provide new community facilities and cash to tackle crime through greater house security, along with environmental improvements.

Plans include creating up to 85 jobs and training 300 other people to gain qualifications.

New businesses and community enterprises will also be helped to start up.

More than 450 pupils should benefit from a variety of projects, with voluntary organisations also receiving help.

The bid for the East Bury Initiative was put together by the Bury Strategic Partnership which comprises Bury Council, Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, Greater Manchester Police, Bury College, and Bolton Bury Chamber, along with the Employment Service, businesses, housing associations and voluntary groups.

Mr Peter Weidenbaum, the new chairman of the partnership , described the announcement as tremendous news: "The enthusiasm from local people and the partners has been immense - now we can get on with the job ahead."

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