A Newcastle community is in line for up to £20 million to boost regeneration efforts.
Walker has been named as one of 25 “trailblazer neighbourhoods” where the Government has promised long-term renewal over the next decade.
The announcement comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighted the Newcastle East and Wallsend constituency as one in line for money to back a council “fightback against graffiti and fly-tipping” in her Spending Review on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said that the 25 areas would each receive up to £20 million in the next 10 years.
However, it is unclear at this stage what specific projects the money will be spent on or the exact area funding will be targeted to.
MHCLG’s list named ‘Walker North’ among its trailblazer locations, but no such council ward exists. A Walker North area could potentially cover streets found in the Walker, Walkergate, or Byker wards in the East End.
Long-serving Walker cllr David Wood told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he hoped the money could be used to help tackle fly-tipping and to improve transport links towards the riverside, which is a major housing regeneration site for the city.
Cllr Wood, who represents the East End and Associates Independent Group, said: “I welcome any sort of investment into Walker, but it depends what strings are attached and whether the council can spend it wisely. The devil is always in the detail.”
The MHCLG announcement promised to “support improvements people can see on their doorstep, champion local leadership, foster community engagement and strengthen social cohesion”.
Mary Glindon, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, said: “The Chancellor’s extra funding to help councils fight back against graffiti and fly tipping is very welcome and includes a neighbourhood in my constituency. Such eyesores degrade our public spaces and I’m very pleased that they will be tackled in the next phase of the Plan for Neighbourhoods.”
