Projects to protect the environment, boost low-carbon travel and invest in green jobs in Cornwall are benefitting from the Shared Prosperity Fund.
Cornwall Council has allocated £450k to three net zero initiatives from the first round of the £132 million Government levelling up programme:
- The Wheels 2 Work project is receiving £250k to expand on a successful pilot giving residents the chance to try an electric bike and help them access work and active travel while reducing their impact on the planet.
- Bude Canal has been awarded £150k towards dredging of the historic Bude Canal to safeguard its historic, economic and environmental importance to the town. The removal of silt deposits from the canal will also improve flood protection for the Bude community.
- Cornwall Wildlife Trust, delivery partner on the National Highways Green Ribs project, is being awarded £50k to deliver biodiversity enhancements and connections between parcels of land in mid-Cornwall near the A30 to develop thriving natural habitats.
The Good Growth investment plan, approved by Cornwall Council in 2022, sets out how the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be invested in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly including opportunities for climate, nature and resilience projects.
A total of £2.9 million is earmarked for infrastructure and nature-based projects to protect businesses and communities from the effects of climate change, such as flooding and coastal erosion.
There is a further £5.5 million set aside for energy efficiency projects and developing green and blue spaces, such as community gardens, waterways and coastal areas.
Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall’s cabinet member for economy, said: “It’s great to see projects underway that are already having a positive impact on our environment and providing opportunities for residents. Through our Good Growth principles we’re ensuring that all projects deliver a lasting legacy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”
Visit the Good Growth Fund website for more information on funding opportunities and examples of projects that have already received grants.
