Six major regeneration and transport projects across Scotland are set to receive almost £122m from the third round of the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Proposals for Moray, North and South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish borders have each been awarded a share of the flagship fund, which will see upgrades to their town centres, high streets, and local transport.
Scotland will receive the second highest award given to any single project in this round – £37.4m to create new commercial buildings, better cycling and walking routes, and more electric vehicle charge points across North and South Ayrshire.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “This funding sits alongside our wider initiatives to spread growth, through devolving more money and power out of Westminster to towns and cities, putting in place bespoke interventions to places that need it most, and our long-term plan for towns.”
Other projects being funded:
- In a joint bid across the South of Scotland, over £22.8m will renovate historic buildings in Annan and Peebles and improve cycling and walking routes along the Clydesdale Way.
- A fund of £13.7m will also be invested to improve transport connectivity in Dumfries and Galloway, including new EV charging for cars, electric buses, improvements to walking and cycling routes, and new transport hubs in five towns in the region.
- In Moray, over £18.2m will transform the town centre of Elgin into an attractive urban hub where high-productivity businesses can thrive.
- Glasgow City Council will receive almost £15m to invest in Drumchapel town centre, improving connectivity into and around the town to improve retail opportunities and boost the local economy.
- And in South Lanarkshire, £14.6m will regenerate the Shawfield National Business District to prepare the site for future development, as well as the nearby Polmadie Burn so the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District Campus can be relocated there, boosting employment and education for the community.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “It’s fantastic news that these six locally developed projects in north, central and southern Scotland have been given the go-ahead.
“Sharing £122m UK government funding, they will transform communities through improvements such as better, greener transport infrastructure and connectivity, regeneration of buildings and land and creation of education, business and employment opportunities.“
