Good Morning Britain has jumped on news that Cornwall will be receiving a chunk of the UK government's 'levelling up' funding pot worth an estimated £2 billion. More than 100 projects across the country will receive a share, including a new direct train service connecting four of Cornwall's most heavily populated areas.
While viewers of the show had concerns about the funding pot as a whole, Cornwall residents are being told to look forward to a improved travel infrastructure. The Eden Project's plans for a new site - albeit not in Cornwall but in Morecambe - will also receive a share of the funding.
The Department for Levelling Up promised that the latest round of levelling up funding would deliver much-needed economic growth and new jobs to communities across the country, as the Prime Minister promised to “build a future of optimism”. But Labour accused the Government of presiding over a “Hunger Games-style contest where communities are pitted against one another”.
Read more: Striking nurses share anger and despair on the picket lines
Cornwall will receive a £50 million grant to help establish a new direct train service, linking four of the region's largest urban areas - Newquay, St Austell, Truro and Falmouth and Penryn. This will level up access to jobs, skills, education, and amenities in one of the most economically disadvantaged areas in the UK, it was said.
The Government said that £2.1 billion in funding had been split between £672 million to develop better transport links, £821 million for community regeneration, and £594 million to go towards restoring local heritage sites. The South West is looking to receive a huge portion of the funding pot, around £186 million.
Get our top stories delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you want here
Conservative Cornwall MPs Steve Double, Cherilyn Mackrory and George Eustice have been working with Cornwall Council on the bid. Commenting, Mr Double said: "It’s great news to today have confirmation of our successful bid to the Levelling Up Fund for the Mid-Cornwall Metro.
"We have been working together on this along with Cornwall Council for a number of years and we’d like to thank the council’s team and in particular Cabinet member for the economy Cllr Louis Gardner for their efforts in putting together such a strong bid. The Mid-Cornwall Metro project will allow residents of Newquay and the communities along the lines to not only have a direct route to Falmouth but also to the main line and beyond, and also provide economic benefit in allowing quicker, easier access for commuters and visitors coming into the area.
"Politics is a team game and this is an excellent example of Team Cornwall working together at every level to deliver another piece of critical transport infrastructure for our Duchy."
Ms Mackrory said: "The Mid-Cornwall Metro is one of the key projects I have worked on since my election in 2019 and I am delighted to see it gathering steam as the Government has today confirmed our successful Levelling Up Fund bid.
"It will give residents of Falmouth and Penryn smoother access to work and leisure opportunities on the north coast, as well as provide a direct route for people wishing to visit and work in our fabulous towns and university campuses. Thanks to Cornwall Council for working with us to deliver for Cornwall and we now look forward to going full steam ahead for this dynamic new rail route."
Mr Eustice, wo has announced that he is stepping down from his seat representing Camborne and Redruth, said: "The Cornish Metro project has a huge role to play improving Cornwall's transport connections and it is great news to see this work going ahead."
GMB viewers, however, appeared to have some reservations about the news. Posting to Twitter, one said: "Train services in Cornwall..that’s levelling up? If the trains are not used the services get cut..running empty trains because they are paid for out of a pot of cash ? ? Really ? #gmb #LevellingUpFund waste of cash if trains are not used."
Some viewers also had concern over the use of the funding, giving the crisis in the NHS: "Is any of it levelling up the NHS?"
Another agreed: "Am I the only 1 who thinks this money would be better going to the NHS at mo."
One Twitter user disagreed, saying: "£50m Gove for a north-south Cornwall train route, which I take it covers a new reversal at Par and a second platform at Newquay. Very modest. Very slow. Very welcome."
Another added: "Great news for #Cornwall, innovation, employment and tourism."
While Cornwall's railway bid proved successful, the bids from Helston and Isles of Scilly have not been successful in this round. The £4.8 billion fund has three investment themes: local transport projects that make a genuine difference to local areas; town centre and high street regeneration; and support for maintaining and expanding the UK’s world-leading portfolio of cultural and heritage assets.
Derek Thomas, MP for the St Ives constituency, which includes both areas, supported the two bids, which were led by the local communities themselves. Helston’s bid – to which Derek gave formal priority support as an MP – was to kickstart the regeneration of Helston, based on a vision for Helston developed by local volunteers and leaders after detailed consultation with the community.
Scilly’s bid was to develop the Town Hall on St Mary's into a new museum and cultural centre. The project would provide space for local art, food and crafts with space for markets, galleries and festivals, as well as a year-round entertainment venue for performances, gigs and cinema. While both bids were considered, they were ultimately rejected due to the high number of applications and the quality of the competition.
Is the cash going to the right places? Sign in and join the conversation in the comments below
Mr Thomas said: “It is always a challenge to secure the funds needed however worthy and constructive the proposals are and I'm determined to work to find a way to fund the projects.
“Helston, in particular, needs this level of funding to enhance the town's offer for residents and visitors, and needs funds to repurpose parts of the town to reflect modern and changing consumer behaviour. I'm personally committed to ensuring the town and its community is not left behind.
“I've asked for specific feedback to prepare for further opportunities and will be meeting representatives in Helston and on Scilly in the next two weeks to agree how we progress the proposed schemes rather than abandon them.”
Kim Conchie, CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: "Today's Levelling Up announcements show the possibility that the fund holds for Cornwall, and I believe the news will be a real boost to business morale in the Duchy.
"Cornwall Chamber of Commerce works closely with Wildanet who have been awarded £36 million to connect thousands of rural premises. This is exactly the kind of investment we need to help connect Cornwall to the rest of the world and boost our productivity. It's brilliant that a local company will manage the project.
"The Newquay to Falmouth rail link will be a great asset to Cornwall, opening up opportunities for Cornwall's residents to find jobs in areas previously off limits. In high season it will improve visitor experience and hopefully lessen the traffic on our roads.
"Whilst not directly benefiting Cornwall through the Levelling Up fund, news of Eden's Morcambe site in Lancashire being approved is still - I believe, very positive for Cornwall. When people think of Eden, they think of Cornwall, so expansion of the brand is powerful for the Duchy."
The Eden Project has been awarded £50m to build the new Eden Project Morecambe in Lancashire.
The Prime Minister’s own Richmond constituency in Yorkshire is receiving £19 million in funding, with money going to Catterick Garrison to regenerate the town centre. The levelling up vision was one pioneered by former prime minister Boris Johnson, who promised to “level up” towns and communities across the UK.
Mr Sunak said: “Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere. “That’s why we are backing more than 100 projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities across the United Kingdom.
“By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”
Read next:
Sacked worker banned from every B&Q for life after final customer announcement
'Doting dad' killed in Plymouth shooting found 'cradling his princess'
Paul Ainsworth swears at Gordon Ramsay's 'goofy' Next Level Chef prank
Grieving wife thanks people who helped husband and dad in his final moments after motorcycle crash
DWP confirm Universal Credit and benefits changes in 2023
