For years our city has been left behind, ignored and forgotten. How could we have hope things would improve when those in charge offered us none? Since being elected MP for Stoke-on-Trent South in 2017 I have been determined to see things change.
I have been working with my Conservative MP colleagues in Westminster and Conservative-led City Council to deliver that much needed direction to take our area forwards. Whilst we have had a number of successes on the way, we have managed to get this big one in last week’s budget.
Through the Powering-up Stoke-on-Trent Prospectus, MPs and the City Council have put together a credible plan for improvement which has been given the backing of Government to level up opportunities and unleash the huge potential our city has to offer.
I could not have been prouder in hearing what our Stoke-on-Trent team has achieved in successfully securing all three regeneration bids. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak could not have put it better when he said in announcing his budget: “not one, not two, but three successful projects for the great city of Stoke-on-Trent.”
This means we will receive a staggering £56 million in Government funding thanks to our bids. The funding secured includes:
- £20 million towards the City Centre Regeneration Area, centred on the site of the old Hanley bus station and the East-West Precinct.
- £16 million towards the Goods Yard redevelopment, behind Stoke Rail Station.
- £20 million securing the regeneration of key heritage buildings across our towns, including the Crown Works site, the former Tams Factory in Longton, close to my office.
I can’t stress how much hard work has gone into putting the bids together and making sure that Stoke-on-Trent was firmly on the Government’s mind. I have been working with the two other Stoke-on-Trent MPs, Cllr Abi Brown and Stoke-on-Trent City Council to really express the importance of this funding for our city.
This investment is going to include new office, retail and leisure space and new housing across several sites across Stoke-on-Trent, including the former Tams Factory site. The Crown Works will become new homes whilst keeping its historical character and breathing new life into Longton.
There are no doubts that the Government funding of £56 million will see incredible improvements in our city, but the investment doesn’t stop there. Our success will allow us to unlock much needed private investment of more than double this amount. Encouraging private investment into creating more skilled jobs, new homes, and improving the quality of life for everyone.
On top of this, working with our fantastic neighbours in Staffordshire Moorlands, Karen Bradley MP and Cllr Sybil Ralphs, we have secured funding to look into the potential for reopening the rail line from Stoke to Leek, including a station at Fenton Manor. This funding lets us undertake a feasibility study and look at the options that could see train services return, massively improving journey times and opening up opportunities.
Stoke-on-Trent’s time of feeling left behind, ignored and forgotten has ended. This funding has given our city the key to opening a new door of fresh optimism, the power to show our true potential and most of all, hope for the opportunities it can provide. I want my constituents to know that this is funding well deserved. We have waited a long-time, but we will now focus on ensuring we deliver the improvements our city needs.
Stoke-on-Trent is a great city with so much to offer here at home and globally. Now we must live up to our potential, so we can get ahead and stay ahead. I am very excited about the future and I hope you are too. This is the start of a great journey for us all!
Lastly, I am going to apologise for speaking about Christmas in October but it’s for a good reason. I am pleased to announce the recent launch of my Christmas competition this year. The competition will be open to all residents of all age groups in my constituency, Stoke-on-Trent South.
This year I want to see your vision of a Stoke-on-Trent Christmas winter landscape. All residents are invited to submit their entries to me by Monday 22nd November. The winner will be announced in December and be used as my official Christmas card. Residents can see more details here on my website: www.jackbrereton.co.uk