MULTI-million pound proposals to revitalise, regenerate and revamp Barrow have taken a major step forward.

Barrow Borough Council has agreed to apply for up to £16 million in Government funding.

New projects in the pipeline include:

lmodernising the Market Hall

la new play zone for the market

la new entrance to the Forum

lnew food hall and a cycle hub

Helen Houston, the council's development services manager, told yesterday’s executive committee: “There will be accessibility solutions and green solutions around the bus station and bus stops, plus new street furniture. Buses only on the road between the Town Hall and Market Hall and Forum"

She said Barrow had missed out on last year’s Future High Streets Fund and that the council's would contribute £1.6 million more to the projects.

Cllr Derek Brook, who chaired the meeting, spoke in favour of applying.

He said: “We’ve done a lot of consultation and the ideas about improving the market have all gone down well.

“Adding an eating area and a play zone will help to attract a wider range of people to the market. Me and my grandchildren are looking forward to playing in the play area.”

However, Cllr Alan Pemberton, who represents Hawcoat, was more cautious about the success of the new application for funding.

He said: “Why do we have to go through Cumbria County Council’s consultants for the designs on these? Will they be the same consultants who failed in our ‘Future high street application?’

Ms Houston sought to reassure the committee. She said: “The consultants that are doing the work on the application are from is ‘Hatch Regeneris,’ which is in addition to the other work they are already doing for us. So it’s different consultants being used this time than those who worked on ‘Future high street fund.’

“With the final bill, we can say what we can deliver within the amount we think we can bid for.”

Cllr Beverly Morgan, who represents Ormsgill, is all for the application being sent to the Government.

She said: “The levelling up fund will help us to create a town centre environment where people want to come back. We all know that some parts of our town centre are dated and by modernising it and making it fit for purpose, we will have something to offer our residents of all ages.”

The application submission will be sent off to central Government.

The ‘Levelling Up Fund,’ was announced at the Government’s 2020 Spending Review to support communities by investing in infrastructure projects, which have the potential to improve lives by giving people pride in their local communities.