Spend, spend, spend (From Warrington Guardian)

Spend, spend, spend

THOUSANDS of pounds of council cash is being pumped into Warrington's neighbourhoods as part of a massive investment in the borough.

The third round of community schemes to benefit from funding from Warrington Borough Council's environmental improvement fund have been announced and they range from traffic calming and road resurfacing to planting schemes and play equipment.

The latest investments are just part of some £500,000 that has been assigned by council chiefs to fund small projects across the borough and follows investment earlier in the year.

Clr Mike Hughes, leader of the council, said: "We are trying to put provisions down with the grant so that people can see that the council is working for the town.

"A lot of investment is not easily identifiable for people, like social services, but if there is something down on the street then people can see things are being done. We are trying to identify grot spots and eyesores in all areas of the town and if an area of the town starts to improve, their sense of well-being will improve as well."

He added that the fund has proved so popular and successful in its inaugural year that hopes are high that it will be continued next year.

"We are hoping to leave some space for this in the budget," Clr Hughes added.

The cash has been targeted by the executive board and has gone to schemes ranging from Burtonwood in the north, to Lymm in the south.

Among the latest grants is a £20,000 grant to improve back passageways in Latchford, £1,520 for a play area in Hollins Green and £8,000 for a pathway lighting scheme in Birchwood.