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The Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander MP, visited New College Lanarkshire’s Coatbridge campus and the town's Summerlee Museum to meet local partners and hear about projects being developed for the UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. Coatbridge MP Frank McNally secured £20 million Plan for Neighbourhoods money from the Labour Government following the election last summer, with £6.6 million of Phase One of that money now being identified for spend. The funding will support improvements to greenspace in the town, as well as improve the town centre and enhance Summerlee Museum; the plans will also look to support improvements to the Time Capsule. During Mr Alexander's visit, discussions focused on how local organisations, education providers and community groups can work together to restore pride, strengthen opportunity and deliver improvements that residents will see and feel across Coatbridge and the surrounding areas. Mr Alexander said: "It was a real pleasure to be in Coatbridge with local MP Frank McNally to hear how local partners want to use UK Government funding to deliver meaningful change. "The programme gives communities the tools and long-term support to revitalise high streets, protect heritage and strengthen local opportunity. "The ideas discussed show the determination and creativity that exist here, Frank worked tirelessly to secure this funding and I look forward to seeing these plans develop." Mr McNally added: "It was a real pleasure to welcome the Scottish Secretary to Coatbridge to see the brilliant work at our local college and hear directly about plans to invest some of the £20 million of money secured from the Labour Government for the after the election. "The funding is aimed at improving critical assets in Coatbridge, delivering new resource, and investing in the places people in our community use and value. "The first £6.6 million is now committed to projects that will improve our parks, canal, museum and town centre. "I’m grateful to the Scottish Secretary for taking the time to hear more about the plans." *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
