People are invited to have their say on how up to £20m should be spent in Keighley, as part of a consultation which launched today (Friday).
Keighley was one of 75 places around the UK selected to share £1.1billion over the next ten years, as part of the Long-Term Plan for Towns scheme, from the Government's Levelling Up programme.
The award is in addition to the £33.6m previously granted in 2021 through the Towns Fund. The Keighley Town Board has been set up to oversee both streams of funding and will develop a long-term plan for the Keighley and surrounding ‘Brontë Country’ area.
A consultation, both online and in person, is now under way, seeking local people’s views on:
- Improving transport and connections to make travel easier for residents and increase visitor numbers, to boost opportunities for small businesses and create jobs
- Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
- Enhancing the town centre to make it more attractive and accessible, including re-purposing empty shops for new housing, improving green spaces and street cleaning
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said:
“This additional investment is testament to the good work of our Towns Fund Board in delivering the £33.6m secured already.
“£20m over ten years will make a difference in the area, but it is important to us to find out how local people want to see the money invested.
"We’ll initially be looking at the first three years, with a pipeline of projects to follow and there will be further opportunities for people to have their say.”
Chair of the Keighley Town Board Tim Rogers said:
“My vision is to use this multi-million pound investment from the public purse to create an environment where the private sector can see a sustainable return on any investment - allowing Keighley to realise its potential in economy, skills, heritage, creativity and transport aspirations.
“In order to do that we need to work together in a truly collaborative way. I really want to hear from people in all communities, and from businesses, schools and colleges in Keighley and the surrounding area on what they want to see.
"This really is our time to shape our own future over the next ten years and beyond and I want to encourage everyone to have their say. We are here to listen and make lasting positive changes for the future.”
The consultation will run until 21st July online here, with an interactive map, as well as in-person drop-in sessions to be announced shortly.
Strong A Level performance celebrated by county’s schools
Main section of A59 Kex Gill route set to open 'within weeks'
Successful launch for Craven Court's new independent bookshop
Free family music workshops coming to Skipton this weekend
Skipton streets targeted in £27,500 chewing gum clean-up
Police invite residents' views on Skipton Bus Station
Rise in number of children in care contributes to Council's £10m overspend forecast
Skipton coffee company celebrates top Great Taste award
Teenagers sentenced after terrifying knife-point robbery in Skipton
North Yorkshire schools set for £6.8m improvement programme
Skipton Business Awards finalists revealed after more than 1,200 nominations
Yorkshire children invited to nominate their parents to be 'slimed' on CBBC
Fresh calls for school transport changes to be abandoned amid claim council is ignoring own policy
Funding agreed to progress work on Skipton leisure hub redevelopments
Community rallies to help elderly driver find 'missing' car in Skipton
Dales Dazzler trail running event returns to Skipton
Everything you need to know about Skipton Pride this weekend
Police appeal after driver forgets where car was parked in Skipton
Shoplifter caught trying to dump stolen goods in Skipton bin
Councillor breaks national fundraising record with charity head shave
