By Judith Tonner
Copyright dailyrecord
Imogen Walker MP says the award of £20 million in government funding to South Lanarkshire is “a landmark moment” which will support long-term regeneration. The Hamilton & Clyde Valley representative believes the announcement of the decade-long investment from Westminster’s Pride in Place programme will be “transformational” for her constituency, including her election pledge of working towards the revival of Hamilton town centre. She noted that the funding follows her “months of campaigning and advocacy”, with further details of which areas and neighbourhoods across the authority are to benefit to be confirmed later this year after being selected by the Scotland Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Ms Walker told the Hamilton Advertiser: “This is a landmark moment for South Lanarkshire. I stood on a promise to bring investment into our local area, and today we are seeing the UK government kickstarting this process. “I’ll keep fighting to ensure every penny goes where it’s needed most, bringing real, lasting change to our community.” She added: “For years we’ve heard talk. Now we’re seeing action. It’s proof that when Labour is in power, we put communities first and deliver on the priorities that matter.” A statement from the MP’s office said: “This is a major win for the people of South Lanarkshire and marks a key milestone in the regeneration of the area. The funding will support long-term community-led regeneration and renewal. “Residents have long stressed how important funding is for supporting renewal in South Lanarkshire, and this UK government investment will support the improvements locals have desperately been asking for. “This announcement follows a sustained campaign led by Imogen, who made the revival of Hamilton town centre a central pledge during her election campaign and believes this announcement demonstrates an ambition to end historic under-investment in the region that has left her constituents feeling let down.” Both South and neighbouring North Lanarkshire Councils will each receive £20m from the fund after being selected among 14 Scottish local authorities to benefit from the Pride in Place fund, for regeneration projects including “revitalising high streets and town centres, preserving local heritage, providing housing, creating jobs, boosting productivity and skills, improving health and wellbeing, creating new transport links, providing education and opportunity and improving safety and security”. South Lanarkshire Council leader Joe Fagan welcomed the funding, saying: “This new Pride in Place strategy closely aligns with the ambitions and plans we already have in place to breathe new life into communities that have really struggled in recent years. “We look forward to working with the Scotland Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to finalise plans for how we use this funding, and we will ensure that the wishes and needs of local people are at the heart of that process.” * Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook ? Head on over and give us a like and share!