REDDITCH has secured a historic investment of £15.6 million which will help fund ambitious new projects for the town.

The funding represents one of the single largest government investments in Redditch since it became a new town in the 1960s.

It comes on top of the £1 million advance Redditch was awarded last year from the Towns Fund in order to accelerate investment.

In September 2019, Redditch was revealed as one of 101 towns across the country invited to develop proposals for a new generation of multi-million-pound Town Deals.

Since then, and despite the pandemic, a local Town Deal Board, which is a group made up of local businesspeople and community leaders, worked to develop Redditch’s Town Investment Plan.

The plan was then submitted to government back in January after receiving cross-party support at the Borough Council and bolstered with the backing of Worcestershire County Council.

The ambitious proposals, which have now secured the backing of £15.6 million of government investment, will be used to invest in skills, digital manufacturing, green infrastructure and town centre regeneration in accordance with the Town Investment Plan.

Projects include the creation of a Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre, upgrades to Church Green, Evesham Walk and Unicorn Hill, as well as improving walking and cycling infrastructure.

Funding will support the creation of a modern new public square, which will improve the flow between the Kingfisher Shopping Centre and the rest of the town centre, and could lead to the creation of new units for cafes, restaurants and bars.

The investment will also help fund the relocation and modernisation of Redditch Library and the development of a Transport Interchange and Railway Quarter to upgrade the railway station.

Redditch MP Rachel Maclean said: “Our agenda to Unlock Redditch is now benefitting from real investment from central government, which means we will press ahead with the delivery of tangible change for the people of Redditch.

“I believe this funding really will be game-changing for our town. We will make Redditch a town fit for the 21st Century by investing in skills, tackling climate change and making Redditch a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Councillor Matt Dormer, leader of Redditch Borough Council, said: “This really is an historic investment for Redditch and could well be the single largest government investment our town has seen since it became a new town.

“Local Conservatives have always demanded better for our town – and that’s exactly what we will be able to deliver thanks to this funding.

“Now it’s time to get on and deliver our ambitious plans to unlock Redditch’s full potential.

"The public support is there – confirmed by the surveys we’ve done, and the amazing results at the elections last month – and now the money is starting to arrive so we can push ahead.”

Redditch Labour welcomed the announcement of the funding, but expressed disapointment that Redditch didn't achieve the full £25m bid for in the plan. Redditch Labour group leader Andy Fry said: "We will study the details of the projects that have been approved and look forward to being fully involved in the delivery and call for full community participation in the delivery plan."