3 in 4 people think Warrington has not improved from 'Levelling up'

A YouGov survey has revealed that of the 361 local authorities in the UK, in only four (1.1%) do residents feel that their area has improved. All four were in Central London.

This comes off the back of the announcement that Warrington were unsuccessful in their application for the second phase of the ‘Levelling Up’ scheme.

Warrington’s £47million bid included plans to transform Broomfields Leisure Centre and to provide a hub for disabled sport at Victoria Park.

Whilst the intention of the scheme was originally to help areas outside of London to ‘Level Up’, it has come under a great of scrutiny over the lack of investment into the north.

Of the 361 local areas, 215 believe their areas have more or less stayed the same, and 142 believe they have declined since ‘Levelling Up’ began.

Within Warrington, there was an equal split of people who felt that the area had stayed the same, and people who felt the area had declined. Each made up 38%, with 18% of people feeling the local area had improved.

Warrington’s bid had cross party support, including by Warrington South MP Andy Carter who said: “While I’m naturally disappointed that we were not successful in this round of Levelling Up funding, we can be proud that we put together a strong bid for Warrington South.”

Council chief executive Steven Broomhead said there had been huge competition and says Warrington will bid again in a likely third round before the next General Election.

He added: "We are very disappointed with the outcome of this but realise only one in five projects were chosen for funding support.

"We are pleased our neighbours in St Helens got support for the regeneration of Earlestown and there was support in Trafford for a new leisure centre in Partington.

"We now look forward to receive the written feedback on the big which we were promised.

"The town has done well with other bids for the Town Deal and electric buses and we will be ready to go for a third round."