A multi-million pound investment plan has been approved for Bletchley and Fenny Stratford which is set to bring major improvements to the area.
The Government today announced that following a successful bid, Bletchley and Fenny Stratford will receive more than £20m, so it can make the best use of current and future growth prospects. Working closely with the community, the Town Deal Board made up of local representatives prepared the investment plan which was submitted in October 2020.
The proposals include:
Transport Hub – creation of a new eastern entrance at Bletchley Station, improving access from the town centre
Tech Park Bletchley – based at MK College, the new skills and training hub will provide better learning and development opportunities to improve life chances
Town Centre improvements – improvements to the appearance, attractiveness and safety of Bletchley and Fenny Stratford town centres
New redway links – better connections between Newton Leys and the Lakes Estate to Central Bletchley
Other potential projects include improvements at Bletchley Park to maintain its attraction to visitors and the full roll out of fibre connectivity.
As part of the proposals, MK Council has already successfully secured a grant of £1m to be invested in projects that will be progressed by April 2021. The money is being invested in new redway links to improve the connectivity between the Lakes Estate, Bletchley Town Centre and Newton Leys to the Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve. A further £200,000 will support the initial improvement works to the former Bletchley Fire Station with demolition starting on site this month.
Chair of the Towns Deal Board, John Cove said: “This is exciting news for Bletchley and represents the next step to fully develop the Groundbreaking Bletchley and Fenny Stratford project. Work has already begun on developing the many ideas within the plan and we will ensure that local residents and businesses will be kept involved. In the meantime, can I thank everyone who has contributed to this project thus far and is looking to continue their hard work and support in this next phase.”
Leader of MK Council, Cllr Pete Marland said: “We welcome the announcement which will help us deliver a better and brighter future for Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. While this money is only a starting point it will enable us to begin delivering on our commitments to improve the area and take advantage of the significant growth opportunities here. I’d like to thank the community and the board for their work in helping us secure this important funding that will make a lasting difference for local people.”
"Unfortunately the funding was not the full amount we bid for, but we’ve been very clear that this is the start of a real programme of change, and we’ll work beyond that set back.”
MK was announced as one of 101 places eligible to submit a bid as part of the Towns Deal. MK Council decided to focus the bid on Bletchley and Fenny Stratford, so it can make best use of current and future growth prospects, and the opportunities that will flow from East-West Rail.
The Towns Fund aims to improve the economic sustainability of towns with a focus on creating jobs, supporting town centres, boosting businesses and connecting people to where they live and work either through local transport or digital connections.