A MASSIVE £18.2m in government funding will help “revitalise” Bournemouth and Poole seafront, it has been announced.

The Levelling Up fund grant will provide the seafront with “better, modernised facilities along the promenade, as well as building a community water sports hub”.

Details on the government’s levelling up website read: “The transformational Bournemouth and Poole seafront Coastal Communities Infrastructure project will deliver rehabilitation of derelict and decaying facilities, new 5G ready digital promenade and power infrastructure unlocking commercial investment in next generation seasonal beach-based leisure.

Read more: How £18m will transform the seafront (and it includes repairs to Bournemouth Pier)

“Public realm upgrades across 2 miles of promenade to improve access, linkage to heritage sites and wellbeing for hard pressed communities on the West Cliff, Boscombe and Hamworthy wards, whilst drawing beach visitors along from honeypot sites such as the pier, to support year-round growth and productivity and reduce environmental strain on services.

“Funding will also deliver a new community lifeguard and water sports hub.”

It is one of nine projects in the south west to receive a share of £186m.

Meanwhile, Weymouth will receive £19 million for enabling works at the harbour side, to “pave the way for nearly 400 new homes and a new leisure-led waterfront complex”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.

“That’s why we are backing a number of projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities in the South West.

“By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:   “We are firing the starting gun on more than a hundred transformational projects in every corner of the UK that will revitalise communities that have historically been overlooked but are bursting with potential. 

“This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth, and help to restore local pride. We are delivering on the people’s priorities, levelling up across the UK to ensure that no matter where you are from, you can go as far as your talents will take you.”

The major investment follows the allocation of £1.7 billion to 105 projects from round one of the Levelling Up Fund in 2021 taking the total allocated so far from the fund to £3.8 billion.

More to follow.