Local community projects receive £138,000 from townships funding

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Funding has been approved for fencing around the water wheel in Hare Hill Park

More local community groups and projects across the borough will benefit from funding of over £138,000 following another round of townships funding agreed by Rochdale Borough Council.

Five township committees; Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale North, Rochdale South and Pennines allocate council funds, including grants for community projects, environmental and highway improvements, events and issues raised by residents that need tackling. Township Committee funding is designed to give financial backing to projects and community groups that will enhance their local areas.

In most cases improvements are already under way or will be completed in the coming weeks.

Middleton Township is funding a ‘Holiday at Home’ scheme that will provide activities and food for disadvantaged young people from low income families during the school summer holidays. The free sessions are aimed at ensuring young people continue to thrive during the holidays. Youth group HeyKids has received funds towards the cost of staging their new live show ‘High School Musical’ for a five night run at Middleton Arena in October.

Additional festive lighting will be installed in Middleton Gardens and Jubilee Park before Christmas. Limited waiting restrictions are to be introduced on Long Street, helping support local businesses by preventing all day parking in that area. Three Pits Allotment Society have received funding for a new fence to improve security and secure the site after a spate of thefts and vandalism. A new salt bin will be installed on Durnford Street before winter.

Pennines Township has provided funding for the New Life Trust in Milnrow which provides practical and emotional support to promote self-confidence and well-being to reduce isolation and increase social inclusion. New fencing around the water wheel in Hare Hill Park will be installed, along with air conditioning at Littleborough Band room so they can rehearse with windows and doors closed causing minimal disruption to residents.

Upcoming investment from Heywood Township includes waiting restrictions on Moor Street/Bury Street to improve pedestrian safety as well as visibility for motorists. It has also funded dropped kerbs on Barlow Street to improve pedestrian access.

Rochdale North Township is funding a homework club for secondary school children at Rochdale Dawah Centre and a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing on Howard Street. Traffic calming measures will be introduced on Ashworth Street to discourage speeding and dropped kerbs will be installed on Lynnwood Drive close to Denehurst Park to assist disabled residents and park users.

Rochdale South Township has funded a project carried out by the tenants of Blue Pits Housing Action and Newbarn Ltd. This has enabled people with lived experience of mental health conditions, learning disabilities and autistic people to create outdoor artwork, revitalising the railway bridge at The Landings on Oldham road with an explosion of colour and pictures. Money has also been allocated for landscaping in Pioneer Street Pocket Park and new benches in Bamford. A community garden will be created on council land at Monmouth Street to deter fly-tipping and enhance the area for residents and bollards will be installed on Kent Street to address an issue of vehicles blocking and damaging the footpath.

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation, said she was pleased more township funding is being invested in such worthwhile projects: “We are pleased to support these projects, with money going to groups who are doing incredible work in the community as well as addressing more issues that residents have raised. I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have. Thank you to everyone working so hard to deliver all this, and remember, we need you to get involved and let us know your ideas for things that will benefit your local area, the more people that get involved, the more the council can do.”