Delivering in local government: How Labour is building a better Britain everywhere

Labour Councils up and down the country are helping to improve the lives of their residents.

Week in, week out, Labour councils, working in partnership with the NHS, Homes England and the Labour Government, are getting things done for their local communities on the things that matter to local people.

Every week, ‘LabourList’ brings you a selection of the great work being done by Labour Councils and Labour Mayors. 

This week we feature:

• New bridge improvements in North Tyneside
• Redevelopment of the Priory Centre in Worksop
• Talacre Community Sports Centre in Camden redeveloped
• Margate Winter Gardens agreement for lease signed
• Construction begins on new Blackpool College campus
• Investment in thousands more homes in West Yorkshire
• A new 3G pitch in Cwmbran

Please send news from your council to Paul Dimoldenberg at [email protected].

North Tyneside; New bridge improvements boost connectivity 

Residents in North Tyneside are benefiting from significant improvements to local walking and cycling routes, as two key bridge replacement schemes in Dudley and Wallsend are completed. The investment supports the Labour council’s commitment to creating places people can be proud of, while improving access to green spaces and everyday amenities.

In Dudley, the public footpath connects Dudley Lane with Weetslade Country Park, Lockey Park and surrounding local amenities, making it an important route for residents. The bridge has now been fully replaced, and to further improve accessibility, the steps serving the bridge have also been renewed.

At Benton Rise in Wallsend, the bridleway forms a key link between Benton, including the Newcastle United Training Ground, and Rising Sun Country Park and has been fully funded by contributions from nearby housing developments. The scheme includes a new replacement bridge, a signalised crossing point on Station Road, and a fully reconstructed path surface from Station Road into Rising Sun Country Park. Over the summer, work is planned to full reconstruct the path surface from Station Road into Rising Sun Country Park and to enhance connections to the Sunholme Drive estate.

Bassetlaw: Work underway on Priory Centre redevelopment in Worksop

A groundbreaking ceremony officially marked the start of the next phase of construction at the redevelopment of the Priory Shopping Centre in Worksop. The scheme is being completed by Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson, on behalf of Labour Bassetlaw District Council, and is supported by £17.9m of Government funding, in addition to £2m from the council.

Enabling works began on site in February 2026, followed by the demolition of sections of the existing Priory Centre building. Works were completed while maintaining access to operational retail units and key pedestrian routes through the town centre. Construction activity is now underway with the shopping centre set to host facilities including a climbing wall, indoor adventure play area and a bowling alley. Further works include public areas being refreshed and the installation of a pedestrian bridge over the Chesterfield Canal, providing a new gateway to the redevelopment and town centre. 

Camden: Talacre Community Sports Centre in Kentish Town redeveloped 

Strengthening the Talacre Centre’s role as Camden’s hub for learning and development in sport and fitness, the redevelopment now accommodates more than twice as many students and includes a new purpose-built gymnasium with specialist equipment designed to support younger gymnasts and residents with special educational needs and disabilities. Key improvements are:

• A dedicated classroom for Sports Education and Training, accommodating up to 45 young people.
• A new gymnasium with a capacity of 15, designed to support younger gymnasts and residents with SEND.
• A new exercise studio, as large as 1.5 badminton courts, for classes and community programmes.
• A new play area catering for a wider range of ages and abilities.
• A new park entrance and public realm that connects the Sports Centre and Talacre Town Green.

The £5.4 million redevelopment was made possible following a successful bid to the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund. Additional funding contributions were provided by Labour Camden Council, the London Marathon Foundation, and the HS2 Community and Business Funds.

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Thanet: Margate Winter Gardens agreement for lease signed

An ‘agreement for lease’ has now been signed between Labour Thanet District Council and Westwood One Theatre. The first stage grant agreement is also now in place and the Council has released the first part of the £4 million funding to Westwood One Theatre.

The project will revitalise the Grade II listed building which is currently closed, transforming it into a hub for leisure, entertainment, and education. Key aspects of the refurbishment include:

• Two main concert/theatre/event spaces – the Main Hall and Queen’s Hall.
• A rooftop bar/restaurant and daytime café with panoramic views.
• A 100-place accredited drama school.
• A further education/vocational learning centre. 
• A 100-place Ofsted-registered day nursery.

It is expected that subject to planning permission, work could start on the venue this summer.

Blackpool: Construction begins on new college campus 

Work is underway on the new campus for Blackpool and The Fylde College, which will bring 3,000 students, apprentices and staff into the heart of Blackpool when it opens its doors in September 2028. The 115,000 sq. ft. educational space will create a modern, inspiring and aspirational new learning environment in the town centre, helping position Blackpool as a centre for education, skills and opportunity. The land for the new Multiversity has been acquired with the support of a £9m Government grant.

The Multiversity will provide five floors of learning space, delivering more than 70 courses and enhancing the college’s existing higher education offer. The flexible courses will provide skills directly linked to local employment needs, helping to develop a skilled workforce and supporting local people into local careers. The campus will also offer a wide range of qualifications, from further education, through to higher education and adult learning. Construction is being delivered by North West contractor Morgan Sindall Construction, who previously completed the demolition and site clearance works.

West Yorkshire: Investment to support thousands more homes

A major investment by the Labour Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, is aiming to support delivery of thousands of new homes, attracting further private sector investment and boosting West Yorkshire’s economy. The £334m West Yorkshire Housing Investment Fund will unlock land for development and support stalled schemes across the region.

The programme will invest in regeneration projects across West Yorkshire, including Leeds South Bank, which has the potential to deliver around 20,000 homes, support the delivery of homes at Bradford Southern Gateway, the new garden communities that could unlock 3,000 homes in Calderdale and a further 3,000 homes in Kirklees, as well as 1,000 homes at Cathedral Quarter in Wakefield.

It aims to build on the devolved £110m Brownfield Housing Fund, which is set to deliver 6,000 new homes – with almost 30 per cent being affordable. The programme will prioritise brownfield and grey belt sites but is not limited to previously developed land. It is expected to complement a £1bn investment from Homes England to deliver more social homes across the region, supporting the Mayor’s pledge to deliver over 5,000 affordable homes.

Torfaen: New 3G pitch at Cwmbran High School

A new £1.3m state-of-the-art 3G pitch has opened at Cwmbran High School and has transformed the school’s former redgra surface into a modern all-weather facility suitable for both pupils and community hire. The new 3G pitch features a FIFA and World Rugby-certified playing surface, LED floodlighting, upgraded fencing and ball-stop netting. The new facility can operate as either a full-size pitch or two smaller playing areas, supporting a range of sports and activities.

Material recycled from the former redgra surface has been used to refurbish the lower pitch, which will be marked out for hockey and protected by a new perimeter fence. A disused tennis court has also been transformed into a new multi-use games area. Funding for the project included £1.2 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, £65,000 from the Welsh Government’s Community Focused Schools Grant and £38,000 from Labour Torfaen Council Section 106 contributions.

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