Today, the Chancellor announced in his Budget that Dinnington High Street will receive £12 million to revitalise it. The provisional work will include clearing the burnt-out buildings, investment in the outdoor market and the creation of a new commercial square with the aim to enhance the shop and food offer in the town and improve public realm and connectivity.
I have been campaigning to revitalise Dinnington High Street since before I was elected, and it is great to see that after decades of neglect, Dinnington will get the money it needs and deserves.
I promised to sort out our High Street, and this money shows that I deliver.
Following the failure of the Levelling Up Fund bid, I made it my mission to go directly to those who control the levers of power and make the case, and I am so pleased that this campaign has worked.
I have raised the rejuvenation of Dinnington High Street over 40 times in Parliament, organised a parliamentary petition signed by more than 2,000 residents, and even held a dedicated debate in Parliament to fight the case for our town. I have even brought the Prime Minister himself to Rother Valley.
Special thanks to all those who made this possible including the Dinnington St John's Town Council, the Dinnington Land Trust and Dinnington Ward Councillors who have also been working tirelessly for our area.
This extra £12 million is on top of the £11 million I already secured for Rother Valley in the first round of the Levelling Up Fund to redevelop the former Maltby Grammar School to create an incubator space for training, apprenticeships, and start-up support in the leisure and hospitality sectors, a new skills college, and to revitalise Rother Valley Country Park.
This announcement today proves that funding is available for "shovel-ready" projects across Rother Valley and South Yorkshire. Rotherham council must ensure that a vision and plans are in place for all our communities so that they can take advantage of the opportunities to receive the funding needed to revitalise their areas.
