Communities across Hartlepool are to benefit from new investment as Hartlepool Borough Council delivers projects worth £750,000 through Year 2 of the Government-funded Pride in Place Impact Fund.
The funding forms part of a two-year, £1.5 million programme being delivered by the Council to support visible improvements to public spaces, high streets and community spaces across the borough.
The Pride in Place Impact Fund supports the wider ambitions of the Hartlepool Board, which is overseeing the long-term Pride in Place programme that is bringing up to £20 million of investment to Hartlepool over the next decade. The Board brings together community representatives, businesses, public services, educational institutions and strategic partners to deliver a shared vision for the town.
This year, 32 projects will be delivered, with investment in every Council ward, ensuring communities across Hartlepool benefit.
Councillor Rob Darby, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Housing, Growth and Communities Committee, said: "This further £750,000 investment is fantastic news for Hartlepool and demonstrates our commitment to creating cleaner, safer and more attractive communities across the borough.
"Residents are already seeing the positive impact of projects funded through the Pride in Place Impact Fund in their neighbourhoods, and this second year of funding will allow us to build on that success with further improvements to shopping areas, public spaces and parks.
"Importantly, the investment is being delivered across all wards, helping improve the quality of life for residents and ensuring communities throughout Hartlepool benefit."
Councillor Rob Darby at Rossmere Park
The projects focus on enhancing high streets, parks and neighbourhoods, supporting local businesses and delivering practical improvements that residents will see and experience in their everyday lives.
Among the schemes being delivered are shop front improvement grants; enhancements to neighbourhood shopping parades; new wayfinding signage in the town centre and a range of upgrades to popular green spaces.
Rossmere Park will benefit from a new accessible public toilet and new lake edging stones, while improvements at Ward Jackson Park include new lake edging stones, replacement shutters on the bandstand and a survey to assess the condition of the historic fountain with a view to bringing it back into use.
The investment will also support the replacement of coastal railings at Seaton Carew, improvements to a range of neighbourhood spaces, and the conversion of several grassed verges into hardstanding areas to provide additional parking in Truro Drive, Kirriemuir Grove, Salcombe Drive and Dumfries Road.
Community safety is also receiving a significant boost through the purchase of three new mobile CCTV cameras to help deter anti-social behaviour and support enforcement activity, alongside additional CCTV coverage at Summerhill Country Park to support future play area improvements funded through the Playground Fund.
And residents can also look forward to some festive fun, with a two-day Christmas Winter Wonderland event to be held outside Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub in December, featuring a skating rink.
Malcolm Walker, Chair of the Hartlepool Board, said: "The Pride in Place Impact Fund is helping deliver visible improvements to the places that matter most to local people.
"This investment complements the wider ambitions of the Hartlepool Board and the long-term Pride in Place programme, helping build pride in Hartlepool and creating lasting benefits for communities across the borough."