Funding of £467,000 has been approved for 18 local neighbourhood projects across Oldham. 

Oldham Council's Local Improvement Fund (LIF) Sub-Committee met on Monday night (13 December).  

This year's successful bids include creating a wildlife sanctuary at Sickle Street; road safety improvements in Royton, and restoration of the Bulldogs community space in Fitton Hill and Hathershaw. 

The LIF was established in 2019 to provide funding for projects that aim to improve Oldham’s neighbourhoods for the benefit of local residents.

Due to the hardship residents have faced as a result of the pandemic, it was agreed that the LIF be included once again in the council’s budget. The total sum being £500,000 with any remainder being used as a contingency fund for the agreed projects.

Oldham Council Leader, Councillor Arooj Shah, said: “During such hard times it is vital that Oldham Council supports residents to recover both socially and economically and the Local Improvement Fund is a great way of achieving this.

“We have seen so many deserving applications but we have selected the ones we feel will have the most positive impact on our local communities.

“I can’t wait to see these projects come to life and see residents reap the benefits.”

The LIF encourages the active participation of residents and local organisations in improving the quality of life for residents in their local areas and prioritises schemes that matter to them.

The full list of projects benefitting from the LIF are:

• A wildlife sanctuary at the rear of Sickle Street, Grantham Street, Minton Street and Orme Street
• Repairs to the problematic fixtures and fittings within the OBA Millennium Cultural Centre
• Refurbishing existing street furniture, including benches, bins, railings, goal posts etc., and community notice boards at Stoneleigh and Whitehall Lane parks
• Essential repairs to Friezland arena – an equestrian facility in Saddleworth
• Improvements to child safety and road congestion along Rowland Way and Medlock Way
• Repairs and refurbishment of Springhead Community Centre
• Lydgate Leaving Lockdown project – repairs and refurbishment of Lydgate Parish Hall
• Improve traffic management and road safety on the approach to Tandle Hill Park, particularly from Tandle Hill Road
• To make the road to St Paul’s School safer for young people and residents
• Improving speed safety along Salmon Fields highway
• Improvements to Dogford Park
• Improve and refurbish George Street MUGA Pitch
• Improvements to Crompton Cemetery
• Restoring community base at Fitton Hill Bulldogs
• Traffic calming and road safety scheme at Burnley Lane, Chadderton
• Extending traffic calming measures across the Firwood Park Estate, Chadderton
• Restoration of Nile Mill Engine House in Chadderton
• Reimagining Chadderton District Centre

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