BIRKENHEAD'S regeneration plans are to get a £25 million boost from the Government's Towns Deal Fund, it has been confirmed this afternoon.

The cash injection - confirmed by Downing Street - will be used to support a number of major capital projects across in the town.

With a focus on skills and enterprise infrastructure, culture and improved public realm, the plans build on the area's heritage, its "unparalleled position on the River Mersey" and a commitment to innovate.

The money will help deliver projects that support business and entrepreneurship to drive economic growth and job creation, and create a positive impact by supporting the development of necessary skills.

Part of the fund will be spent on initiatives along the waterfront to "enhance its potential for residents and visitors and improve access by providing a much-improved link to the town centre through historic Hamilton Square".

Birkenhead was one of only 101 towns invited to apply for funding last year.

Wirral Council submitted a detailed £45m Town Investment Plan outlining plans to transform the town through a series of projects.

The projects put forward in the plan were shaped through the Town Deal Board which represented people who live and work in Birkenhead, and through extensive consultation with residents and businesses.

Members of the Board include MPs, councillors, representatives of local businesses and voluntary and community groups.

More information about the projects that will be supported by the Town Deal will follow over the coming months.

Over £50m has now been secured towards major regeneration projects in Birkenhead in the last seven months.

The £25m announced today follows £24.6m which was awarded through the Government’s Future High Streets fund at the end of last year to support the transformation of the town centre, £8.3m awarded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to support the removal of the flyovers into the town and a further £1m for Town Deal accelerator funds to help bring forward projects, particularly in the Argyle Street area.

The funding awarded to date will enable Wirral Council to attract further investment from the public and private sector for its regeneration plans.

Wirral's director of regeneration and place, Alan Evans said: "This latest funding decision reinforces the confidence in our plans and will allow us to progress some extraordinary projects that will finally see Birkenhead meeting its potential as an exciting place to live, work and spend your free time.

"We're grateful to the Town Deal Board who worked together to develop an ambitious and compelling bid that has now had the seal of approval from Government.

"With the recent positive responses we’ve had around the 20-year vision for the town through the Birkenhead 2040 Framework, work set to start on the Central Business District in the town centre through the Wirral Growth Company and the difference we’re already seeing through new and existing creative organisations which we’ve supported, there's a serious momentum behind bringing change to Birkenhead.

"The scale of these plans is unprecedented in the country right now and will not only bring huge transformation through buildings, infrastructure and public spaces, but also real improvements to the lives of our residents and businesses."

Chair of the Town Deal Board and CEO of Eureka! Science + Discovery which is due to open in Seacombe next year, Leigh-Anne Stradeski added: "On behalf of the Town Deal Board, we are delighted with today’s announcement.

"The Board worked hard to engage with local people and put forward a plan that reflected the changes they wanted to see in their town and drive forward a prosperous future for Birkenhead, so to receive this grant is a fantastic endorsement.

"We are now eager to embark on delivering the projects that will open up a new, exciting chapter for Birkenhead and create a positive impact for the town’s communities."

Birkenhead's MP Mick Whitley said: "On July 15, I received a letter from Luke Hall MP at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government informing me of the good news.

"The money must be used to improve the transport, cultural life, and environment in both the town centre and the waterfront.

"With these improvements I am convinced that we can dispel the ghost town image that haunts our shopping areas and our waterfront. We can reinvigorate the town making Birkenhead a great place to live, visit and work in.

"My particular concern is that we ensure the funds we receive are used to create decent and well-paid jobs for the people of our town. Such jobs are key to real community wealth building.

"Together with the recent announcement of the plans to build electric vehicles at Vauxhall - where a number of my constituents work - and my continuing campaign to get defence procurement orders for Cammell Laird shipyard I believe real progress for decent employment in our town is on the cards.

"The key now is to ensure that the funds we have received start to deliver tangible results. We need to move from planning a better future to building one for the people of Birkenhead."

Birkenhead is among 15 areas that will receive Town Deals funding.

The others are Bloxwich, Blyth, Crewe, Darwen, Dudley, Grays, Millom, Nelson, Newhaven, Runcorn, St Helens, Stainforth, Tilbury and Todmorden.

A Government statement read: "Funding will enable these areas to invest in their local economies, implementing proposals submitted to the government’s Towns Fund, which is designed to create jobs and reshape our towns and cities into places where businesses and communities can thrive."

The statement was issued as Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out his vision on how the government would deliver on the central purpose of his premiership – to level up and unite the whole of the United Kingdom.

Speaking from the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in Coventry, he outlined the challenges the country faces and opportunities that must be grasped to make sure that "we build back better following the pandemic".

The Prime Minister set out the catalytic role for government and the need to:

• Empower strong local leaders by taking a more flexible approach to devolution, with new ‘County Deals’

• Focus on growing the private sector by creating the conditions for long-term growth and productivity

• Invest in infrastructure and connectivity

Ensure that people have access to good public services, and the skills and training needed to get good jobs; and

• Improve the quality of life in communities through cutting crime and regenerating towns and high streets