Government Funding

GOVERNMENT FUNDING Makeovers for subwaysintown

Subways in Newcastle are receiving amakeover thanks to funding from the Government.

The project has been organised by Newcastle-underLyme Borough Council using High Street funding from the Government.

Aspokesman forthe council said: “Our subways transformation project is coming on atreat. We’vebeen given £1 million of advanced Town Deal funding from the Government to spend on various schemes to facilitate regeneration and economic growth in Newcastle and we’re using asmall part of that money to make key pedestrian routes into the towncentre more attractive, welcoming and safer.

The transformation of the five subway barrels off the Grosvenor sunken roundabout includes: New specialisttiling manufactured locally by Digital Ceramics Custom Tiles featuring bright designs based on artwork gathered during the borough's successful 30 year campaign in Heart of England in Bloom; Murals by We are Culla depicting positive messages on staying safe, beingkindand welcoming people to the town; CCTV in each passage, adding to the existing cameras installedin the centre of the roundabout and; Landscaping to the perimeter of the garden.”

The spokesman added: “It’s all about making the subway more pleasant and attractive for people walking through and it complements alarger programme of improvements currently taking place at the Grosvenor sunken roundabout. “One subway user we spoke to said the improvements “lift her spirits” and “brighten up her day.”