Harlow has been awarded £23.7 million of government funding as part of a national £610 million boost for towns in need of regeneration.

A bid was submitted to the towns fund in November of last year for cash to improve transport links in the town centre, regenerate the Staple Tye neighbourhood, create a new junction at Cambridge Road and River Way, and deliver an Institute of Technology at Harlow College.

Harlow MP Robert Halfon, says the news represents the fulfilling of one of his 2019 election promises.

“This is incredible news for our town and sets Harlow on the path to an even more exciting future. The Government investment announced today is yet more proof that we are building an even better Harlow. I will continue to do all I can to champion Harlow, work hard for Harlow and fight for Harlow in parliament.”,” Mr Halfon said.

“This investment will create hundreds of local jobs and opportunities for Harlow’s young people.”

Of the latest announced towns fund cash, 83 per cent of the £610 million has been given to areas with Tory MPs; just four of the 26 towns benefitting from the latest cash injection are represented by MPs of other parties.

Harlow’s cut of the funding will see a brand-new bus station, commercial hub and transport interchange built in the town centre, replacing the existing bus station.

Some of the cash will go towards regeneration of Broad Walk, with aims to make it a better and more attractive place to shop and work.

Staple Tye will see investment to create new workspaces and bring business investment to create new local jobs.

Harlow College will see many ageing buildings remodelled to create an Institute for Technology focussed on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

And a New River Way to Cambridge Road link road will be created to boost accessibility to the Templefields Enterprise Zone.

The whole deal is set to create 810 new local jobs, Harlow Conservatives claim. The party also says the funding projects to increase footfall in the town centre by 20 per cent.

This is a brilliant day for our town,” said Cllr Dan Swords. “The Government is investing massively to make ‘building back better’ a reality and not just a slogan. This huge boost to our local economy will make Harlow an even better place to live, to work, to start a business, to raise your family and to socialise.”

Cllr Andrew Johnson, leader of the Harlow Council, added: “This is yet another example of this Conservative Government working with our MP, Robert Halfon, to deliver major investment for our town.

“We promised to regenerate our town and build an even better Harlow and the Conservatives are delivering it.”

Brian Keane, chief executive of Harlow Council , said: “This multi-million pound funding on top of the £1 million funding secured by the council last year is going to make a real difference to Harlow and it will be matched with even more funding from Harlow Council, private sector contributions and our partners such as Essex County Council and Harlow College.

“The projects, which this funding will help support, aim to create job and training opportunities for residents, transform public spaces and support businesses at a vital time as Harlow recovers from the pandemic.”