Bolton College of Medical Sciences gets 20m funding from Rishi Sunaks budget

BOLTON has succeeded in its bid for major levelling up funds, with £20m secured for the proposed Bolton College of Medical Science from the budget.

The announcement was made by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as he laid out his budget to the House of Commons on Wednesday.

The funding for Bolton comes amid a range of more than 100 projects awarded funding across the UK, include plans to redevelop Bury Market and Radcliffe Civic Hub.

Mr Sunak said: "Employment is up, investment is growing, public services are improving, the public finances are stabilising, and wages are rising.

“Today’s Budget delivers a stronger economy for the British people: stronger growth, with the UK recovering faster than our major competitors.

“Stronger public finances, with our debt under control. Stronger employment, with fewer people out of work and more people in work. Growth up, jobs up, and debt down: Let there be no doubt â€" our plan is working.”

The medical college is a proposed state-of-the-art centre at Royal Bolton Hospital providing training and qualifications for those looking for careers in the medical professions, while opening up opportunities for hospital staff to further their careers. The new funding could prove crucial in bringing this about.

In Radcliffe, the hub will include the creation of a new civic centre, leisure facilities including a swimming pool and space for home workers and start-up businesses, while the Bury Market scheme sees funding for a flexi-hall and related public spaces.

Bury South MP Christian Wakeford said: "Since before I was elected, I promised to fight to ensure that Radcliffe would no longer be the forgotten town in the borough and that it would get the investment it deserves to regenerate the tired town centre.

"So, I am pleased that along with the new high school, Radcliffe is finally getting the attention that it deserves."

"I know residents have waited a long time to see Radcliffe regenerated so I am so pleased to be delivering on the government’s promise to level-up, reinvigorating the town to make it fit for the 21st century and give local residents a town centre to be proud of."

This comes alongside funding of £1.07bn to improve transport in Greater Manchester which could see the Metrolink extended to Bolton and will create a new interchange for Bury.

A series of investments will be made in 12 projects across the North and Midlands, which also includes an additional £560m for youth services and £200m for football pitches.

Bury North MP James Daly added: "This is a huge step forward for the regeneration of our town centre.

"This government is providing the money that we need to change Bury for the better and make our world-famous market even more of a key cultural and economic part of our town”

"Since being elected I have been lobbying the government to ensure that Bury gets the investment we deserve, and it is excellent to see that this transformational investment is becoming a reality.”

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