The village is located near to the new high speed railway and construction in the area will have an impact on local traffic routes. The new community minibus service being funded will benefit all residents and help overcome local difficulties. It will be equipped for disabled access with a wheelchair lift to enable to meet the needs of the local disabled community. The service will include twice weekly run into nearby Brackley to enable residents to access doctors, dentists, shops and other local services.
A number of popular village clubs and groups have indicated that they will use the minibus including local churches and the village Inn. It will also be used by the local primary school and preschool who will be able to expand their already exciting curriculum offer with additional extracurricular sporting and performance opportunities, and visits to local farms, museums and galleries.
Two funds, with a combined total of £40million, are available to local communities and businesses that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of Britain’s new high speed railway between London and the West Midlands. This funding has come from the Community and Environment Fund, which is for projects that benefit the community and have a positive environmental outcome.
To date, nearly £8 million has been awarded from the funds across 130 projects near the HS2 route. In Northamptonshire, 13 projects have benefitted, sharing £599,276 between them. The projects range from rebuilding the clubhouse at Brackley FC to upgrading a number of children’s play facilities in the area.
Speaking about the new award, Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Funds said:
“I am pleased that this project in Greatworth has been successful in its funding application. It will provide great benefit to an entire community that is impacted by the construction of HS2. Access and mobility is vital to all, and this project will not only ensure this continues for local residents, but will have wider benefits as the transport will be used across a number of community groups and organisations.”
“The Funds are available to support local communities and businesses that are impacted by the construction of HS2 and I encourage other organisations near to the line of route to apply and gain the tangible benefits of these Funds.”
Richard Edwards, Chairman of the Greatworth Transport Association, said:
"The Greatworth Community Transport Association (GCTA) are absolutely delighted that our application to the HS2 Community and Environment Fund has been successful. The GCTA which is a charity is made up of volunteers from the village who have worked extremely hard for a long time to achieve this award.”
“The construction phase of HS2 will be a challenge for our village but the introduction of a Community Minibus will enhance opportunities for all age groups. We feel it will bring us closer together making us a much stronger, vibrant, greener and cohesive community".
As construction of HS2 gets underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. The funds for Phase One, independently administered by community charity Groundwork UK, support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects. Community and business groups in Staffordshire will also be eligible to apply for a share of the £5million funding announced for Phase 2a of the HS2 route, between the West Midlands and Crewe, when the funding becomes available.
ENDS