Council confirms over £138,000 investment for local projects

Mar 11, 2023

Published: 1 June 2023

More local community investment totalling over £138,000 is being delivered across the borough following townships funding agreed by Rochdale Borough Council.

5 township committees; Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale North, Rochdale South and Pennines allocate council funds, including grants for community projects, environmental and highway improvements, events and issues raised by residents that need tackling. Township Committee funding is designed to give financial backing to projects and community groups that will enhance their local areas.

In most cases improvements are already underway or will be completed in the coming weeks.

Additional festive lighting will be installed in Jubilee Park, Middleton.

Middleton Township is funding a ‘Holiday at Home’ scheme that will provide activities and food for disadvantaged young people from low income families during the school summer holidays. The free sessions are aimed at ensuring young people continue to thrive during the holidays. Youth group HeyKids have received funds towards the cost of staging their new live show ‘High School Musical’ for a 5-night run at Middleton Arena in October 2023. Additional festive lighting will be installed in Middleton Gardens and Jubilee Park before Christmas 2023. Limited waiting restrictions are to be introduced on Long Street, helping support local businesses by preventing all-day parking in that area. Three Pits Allotment Society have received funding for a new fence to improve security and secure the site after a spate of thefts and vandalism. A new salt bin will be installed on Durnford Street before winter.

Pennines Township has provided funding for the New Life Trust in Milnrow which provides practical and emotional support to promote self-confidence and well-being to reduce isolation and increase social inclusion. New fencing around the water wheel in Hare Hill Park will be installed, along with air conditioning at Littleborough Band room so they can rehearse with windows and doors closed causing minimal disruption to residents.

Upcoming investment from Heywood Township includes waiting restrictions on Moor Street and Bury Street to improve pedestrian safety as well as visibility for motorists. They have also funded dropped kerbs on Barlow Street to improve pedestrian access.

Rochdale North Township are funding a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing on Howard Street.

Rochdale North Township are funding a homework club for secondary school children at Rochdale Dawah Centre and a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing on Howard Street. Traffic calming measures will be introduced on Ashworth Street to discourage speeding and dropped kerbs on Lynwood Drive and Denehurst Park to assist disabled residents and park users.

Rochdale South Township has funded a project carried out by the tenants of Blue Pits Housing Action and Newbarn Limited. This has enabled people with lived experience of mental health conditions, learning disabilities and autistic people to create outdoor artwork, revitalising the railway bridge at The Landings on Oldham Road with an explosion of colour and pictures. Money has also been allocated for landscaping in Pioneer Street Pocket Park and new benches in Bamford. A community garden will be created on council land at Monmouth Street to deter fly-tipping and enhance the area for residents and bollards will be installed on Kent Street to address an issue of vehicles blocking and damaging the footpath.

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation, said she was pleased more township funding is being invested in such worthwhile projects:

"We are pleased to support these projects, with money going to groups who are doing incredible work in the community as well as addressing more issues that residents have raised. I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have. Thank you to everyone working so hard to deliver all this, and remember, we need you to get involved and let us know your ideas for things that will benefit your local area, the more people that get involved, the more the council can do."