After hearing from traders, business leaders and readers, Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie gave her view about the potential £20m cash injection for Stroud. 

The Levelling Up Fund according to the government will 'invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK.'

The UK government also claims that the £4.8 billion fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.

"It was great to see the SNJ reach out to local traders in a previous article about their priorities for the Levelling Up Fund bid," said Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie.

"There are so many existing ideas and projects for the town, from traders and the town council, that could make investment have an immediate impact if they were brought forward.

"With the levelling up bid, it is common knowledge that I was disappointed that Stroud District Council did not put in a bid for the first round. 

"We have now seen extensive funding of circa £40m go to Gloucester and the Forest of Dean.

"I have still yet to see details of a defined bid from the council so I do not know what they are proposing. I said sometime ago that there should be a constituency-wide consultation to gather ideas and views about proposals before Christmas.

"I understand that the consultation is currently planned for February 2022 which could be too late for a spring bid or if the government opens bidding earlier next year. 

"I sincerely hope that the council moves faster to organise themselves for this opportunity for the District."

A Stroud District Council spokesperson said:

“We are working hard on putting together a package of projects for the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, although a date for submission has not yet been announced.

"Key stakeholders and partners include Stroud Town Council, Gloucestershire County Council, the Local Enterprise Partnership, local businesses and of course, Stroud’s MP.

“Our aim is to respond to the vision for the town as being a welcoming, healthy and thriving place whilst also contributing to the partners aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.”