HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani announced the first community projects along the new HS2 railway route which will receive funding as part of a £45 million (EUR 51.2 million) pledge by the government to provide a legacy of improvements for generations to come. The Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) will offer £40 million (EUR 45.5 million) to support local economies and communities affected by the Phase One construction of HS2 between London and Birmingham. Another £5 million (EUR 5.6 million) has been made available to help communities along HS2 Phase 2a route from the West Midlands to Crewe.
The cash will be spent on public projects such as the refurbishment of community centres, nature conservation and measures to support local economies and employment.
“HS2 will be the backbone of our national rail network – supporting growth and regeneration and helping us build a Britain fit for the future. Whilst we know there will be disruption as we deliver one of Europe’s biggest infrastructure projects, we are absolutely committed to minimising the effects of building the new railway. That is why I am delighted to see this significant funding helping to unlock the potential of communities and businesses along the route, ensuring the legacy of HS2 extends beyond the railway. These diverse and empowering projects will help regenerate local areas and bring people closer together, and I look forward to seeing more grants being funded in the future,” HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani said.
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