Levelling up: Labour blames York Lib Dems for funding bid failure
Labour MP Rachael Maskell has accused York’s Lib Dem councillors rather than the government for the city’s failure to get levelling up cash.
Major city centre regeneration projects in York have been dealt a blow after the council again received nothing from the government’s levelling up fund.
But rather direct her criticism at the Conservative government, Ms Maskell blamed the Lib Dem-Green coalition that run City of York Council.
“Our Lib Dem-Green council have blown it for York because they had a great opportunity here to really put in a bid which would have transformed people’s lives and made a real difference,” the York Central MP said.
“But in homing in on a pet project they clearly haven’t achieved the aim.”
Members of parliament were allowed to support one of their council’s bids as part of the process.
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Ms Maskell said she had written a statement which was “more of a critique” of the £20 million city centre bid, but said she had learnt that this was not ultimately submitted to the government.
York Labour group leader Cllr Claire Douglas said the council had “put all its eggs in the levelling up fund basket” when it came to flagship projects.
“That gamble has failed and now, with costs spiralling out of control, they appear unable to deliver the projects they previously boasted about,” she added.
The council re-submitted the bid it lost out on in round one of the funding – with some refinements – after receiving “positive” feedback and being encouraged to do so by the government.
York is part of the lowest priority areas list in the government’s levelling up fund process, though a small number of areas in the same band have received funding.
Council leader Cllr Keith Aspden said the news was “disappointing”.
“Regrettably the government has not recognised that York faces some serious challenges and shares with other areas across the North of England the need for targeted investment in the city’s future,” he said.
Luke Charters, the Labour candidate for York Outer, said: “Once again York has been left behind by the Conservatives.”
York Outer’s Conservative MP Julian Sturdy said: “It is incredibly disappointing that both of York’s bids were unsuccessful – the riverside redevelopment would revitalise the city centre economy and the active travel routes would have only added to the success of Haxby Railway Station.
“Detailed feedback is provided to all unsuccessful bids so I hope to work with City of York Council and stakeholders across the city to ensure future bids have a better outcome.
“The future of York is bright with York Central, Castle Gateway, a new railway station at Haxby and many more developments delivering for our city’s residents.”