Deputy Prime Minister announces a further £482 million of investment on visit to Canklow, Rotherham

L - R MacShane, Cllr Rose McNeely, Deputy Prime Minister, Cllr Roger Stone, Cllr Mahroof Hussain

The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, today announced a further £482 million of investment to regenerate some of England's most run down estates.

Announcing the allocation at an event in Canklow, Rotherham for the South Yorkshire Transform pathfinder, the Deputy Prime Minister said:

"Five years ago, some of these neighbourhoods were one step away from becoming ghost towns, blighted by boarded up houses and anti-social behaviour. Now we are beginning to see real progress in getting these areas back on track, with better housing, improved public services and cleaner, safer streets. We are seeing confidence return to these neighbourhoods and a reversal in the cycle of decline.

"However, challenges still remain. There is still much to do. We are determined to ensure these estates catch up with the urban renaissance happening in our towns and cities. This is a long term challenge to create places where people want to live and work, not leave. That is why we are allocating a further £482 million today to support that commitment."

MacShane said “ I was very proud to be present at the event in Canklow with local councillors looking at new housing planned for the area, when the Deputy Prime Minister announced this massive investment in regenerating some of our poorest communities. This announcement means £90 million for Transform South Yorkshire the Pathfinder project covering areas of Rotherham, Sheffield, Barnsley and Doncaster.”