A NEW hydrogen hub and improved community centres are in the pipeline in Warwick district thanks to a government cash injection of almost £3.5 million.
Warwick District Council has received the sizable slice of cash from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKPF) to kick start a wide range of partner projects. These will benefit communities, businesses and employment opportunities in the area over the next three years.
Receipt of the funding comes on the back of an overarching plan put forward by the WDC’s Economic Development team to support around fifty local initiatives.
Projects earmarked for funding include a new Health and Wellbeing Hub for Lillington with added services from Everyone Active, more investment in the district’s Community Centres including the Gap, Brunswick, Crest, Packmores and Sydni Centre to provide youth, family, financial and mental health services, and enhanced support for WCAVA (Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action).
Education and skills development programmes are also in the plans with training for creative practitioners and better digital inclusion.
There could also be support for the expansion of conferences for the digital, gaming and creative sectors to attract new entrepreneurs and businesses.
Other areas to benefit will be public safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists with an upgrade of the CCTV, new emergency contact points and the development of a local cycling and walking infrastructure plan. Initiatives to combat climate change are also under consideration – bringing forward the potential to develop a local hydrogen hub to provide low carbon fuel for a range of vehicles including HGVs, buses, and refuse collection vehicles.
WDC’s economy spokesman Coun Liam Bartlett said: “Securing this funding is a huge boost for our district, as we respond to the many challenges of the last three years. Working with our partners, the plans we have outlined will bring tangible benefits targeted at the sectors of the community who need it most; improve infrastructure and sustainability; and offer local people better employment prospects.”
