Record levels of funding are transforming Northumberland. With support from Northumberland Conservatives at County Hall, backed by our Conservative government your local council is growing our economy and creating jobs with a series of landmark investments across the county.
South East Northumberland is on the rise, with towns such as Blyth, Cramlington, Bedlington, and Ashington the subject of major regeneration and investment.
In Blyth, a £90 million investment is driving real change. Part of that investment is a new Culture Hub, which is soon to start construction. The hub will be run by the hugely respected “Jam Jar Cinema” team and will be a focal point for arts and entertainment, featuring a creative space, a three-screen cinema, and a café.
Then there’s the Energy Central Learning Hub at the Quayside where construction is proceeding swiftly as well as cycling and walking upgrades across the town. There are also plans for a new Energy Central Institute and a hotel to be constructed on the location of the Keel Row shopping centre that the council recently acquired following its proposed closure by the previous owners. Moreover, nearly £20 million is set aside for improving housing stock in the town centre.
Ashington's £30 million “town deal” is taking shape with the High Street Innovation Programme, which brings business support, public realm upgrades, and events. There's exciting news for moviegoers, too: Portland Park's modern six-screen cinema facility is firmly now in the works as part of the Town Centre Renewal for Strategic Sites Programme. This complements other developments at Wansbeck Square where the new station will soon open amongst a wider set of public realm improvements.
In the last few months our Cramlington councillors have started a big conversation with residents on a “blueprint for Cramlington”, gathering ideas from local residents for town improvements. We look forward to more on this soon.
Over in Bedlington, the town centre is getting a fresh look and retail space thanks to Advance Northumberland. The latest retailer to move into new facility is Greggs who opening a new store on 23rd September 2023. This last week we agreed £6m for cycleway improvements, all the whilst the new railway station in East Bedlington makes steady progress.
In the west of the county Hexham is blending the old with the new. The £4m High Streets Heritage Action Zone project is sprucing up its historic centre, with completion eyed for Spring 2024. This follows on from the addition of 200 new parking spaces we installed to keep visitors flocking to the town. Following the completion of the new school meanwhile, we are soon launching work on a master plan for the old middle school site to get the long term future of the site fully defined.
Up North in Berwick upon Tweed, arts and culture are thriving. Projects like Berwick Maltings and the Culture & Creative Zone are pushing ahead, boosting local talent and design quality, complimenting funding for other projects such as the revamp of the Berwick Barracks.
Across Northumberland, the Borderlands Place Programme is shaping the future for several towns. From Bedlington to Bellingham and Alnwick to Rothbury, not forgetting about Prudhoe, Newbiggin or Haltwhsitle, Town Investment Plans are coming together, all part of a multi-million pound set of projects.
A game-changer for the region is the Northumberland Line. This railway will link South East Northumberland with Newcastle upon Tyne, covering stops like Seaton Delaval, Blyth, Bedlington, and Ashington. This project, progressing smoothly, promises to revolutionise travel, halving the journey time into Newcastle.
In summary, from better transport links with the Northumberland Line to vibrant cultural spots in towns, Northumberland Conservatives are working hard to offer more to locals and visitors alike. It's a time of positive change, making the county an even better place to live, work, and visit.
