Levelling Up Q&As

Q: What is levelling up?

A: Creating opportunities by improving jobs, pay and living standards, making streets safer protecting health and wellbeing, investing in high streets and town centres etc

This pot of funding is part of the Governments £4.8 billion assigned to 'levelling up'

Q: Is the bus station moving?

A: No. There are no proposals to move the bus station at the current time. During the later phases of the development, the aspiration will be to consider the future of the bus station which could include regeneration of it and improvement of the facilities, or alternatives. Any proposals for this will be consulted upon at the time.

Q: I have used the wheelchair swing in Central Park, will the new areas include equipment for wheelchair/special needs children to use ie roundabouts etc all in the name of inclusion & not just left on the side lines to watch other children playing?

These points are noted, and will be considered moving forward. The aim of the public space is to create an accessible space for all.

Q: Please explain where these ideas have come from?

A: These ideas have been part of a long-standing vision for this area. Since 2018, various options have been developed, in order to attempt to access funding opportunities from the Town Deal and Levelling Up funds as examples. The proposals align with the funding requirements; and the aspiration for the improvement of the area.

Q: We need a cafe with play centre & a sensory room for the kiddies for those who don't drive

A: These points are noted, and will be considered moving forward, there will be spaces for such uses created.

Q: Does the town really need another park? I think the money would be better spent widening the bridge near Downtown to accommodate the ever increasing amount of traffic. It's really bad now, a total bottleneck, and it will get worse when the new Aldi and, hopefully, M & S open.

A: The funding requirements are set by Government, new highways infrastructure did not form part of it, and as such we could not bid for such improvements. The town does have a deficiency of high quality public realm, and similar schemes elsewhere have seen improvements to public realm make significant visual enhancements, and create the conditions for further positive investment. This is an under-utilised area of town, which requires improvement.

Q: Is this really more needed than a bypass?

A: The funding requirements are set by Government, new highways infrastructure did not form part of it, and as such we could not bid for such improvements.

Q: Is there going to be a children's park if so will there be fencing and gates as current central park is no good for a 10 year old with autism who runs off as there no gates?

A: These points are noted, and will be considered moving forward. The aim of the public space is to create an accessible space for all.

Q: Lost for words!!! Incredulous!!! Boston needs the roads and congestion sorted and an improved health service to support the ever increasing population.

A: The funding requirements are set by Government, new highways infrastructure did not form part of it, and as such we could not bid for such improvements.

Q: So the St. George's car park is staying?

A: The plans for the wider re-development of the area include St George's Car Park, and options for re-development. No fixed plans for this have been reached as yet.

Q: We rely on our Council to be forward thinking and put in for funding for projects that would benefit our town - we need them to be proactive for us!! Can someone confirm that we have put in bids for improvements in our congestion problems?

A: The funding requirements are set by Government, new highways infrastructure did not form part of it, and as such we could not bid for such improvements - but we continue to lobby the County Council and Government for investment in transport improvements.

Q: Can you explain how it's going to attract visitors as when you move accessibility further away no one will come many towns and cities have their bus stations at the heart of the project your moving it further away an absolute waste of money?

A: The bus station is not moving.

Q: New park? Why ? Stop wasting the tax payers money and use our money to benefit our daily lives as said hospitals schools roads etc something for the younger generation a youth centre with educational facilities on controlling behaviours and sports like basketball court to burn off their energy !

A: The funding requirements are set by Government, new highways infrastructure did not form part of it, and as such we could not bid for such improvements - but we continue to lobby the County Council and Government for investment in transport improvements.

Q: Mowing of green areas around the town has become less and less frequent over the last few years leading to some areas looking unkempt and scruffy. Will the obvious added upkeep of this new planned area in the centre of town further detract the resources from our home areas resulting in them being more neglected than they already are?

A: Future maintenance will be part of the landscaping design, so that it is considered from the outset.

Q: What's the total cost though?

A detailed cost plan was produced to support the bid identifying a cost of c£15.9m. £14.8m would come from investment from Government, with the remainder being found from other partners as part of private-public sector match which was a requirement of the funding stream.

Q: Ooh good somewhere else for nobody to use except druggies and gangs of men drinking. Did anyone ask the Boston residents what they would like the money to be spent on or what they think Boston needs?

A: The plans for this area have been consulted upon previously over recent years. The design of the public realm will seek to address the existing issues of anti-social behaviour, and provide a safe and accessible place that people want to be. By creating a high quality space, such activities are less likely to take place.

Q: You say was successful but you applied for £20 million so actually your bid is £5 million short. Why build a park when we have a perfectly good but underused one 2 minutes away? This money should have been used like Lincoln's £20 million to ease congestion on the roads as angry road users this week taking an hour to travel the length off Sleaford Road I'm sure will agree.

A: The funding requirements are set by Government, new highways infrastructure did not form part of it, and as such we could not bid for such improvements. The maximum we could bid for was £20m, we received all of the money we put in a bid for.

Q: Who would have made the park decision? Was it all down to BBC?

A: The plans for this area have been consulted upon previously over recent years. The design of the public realm will seek to address the existing issues of anti-social behaviour, and provide a safe and accessible place that people want to be. By creating a high quality space, such activities are less likely to take place.

Q: I don't live in Boston, but would like to know if the towns' folk were given a vote on what they would like to see the money spent on?

A: There was no formal vote, but the proposals have been subject of consultation.

Q: How is that going to improve people's lives? It's not. Boston was left to rot for decades a park isn't going to help at all

A: The proposals will create a high quality space, and provide opportunities for new uses, including transitional accommodation for younger people and potential community facilities. These interventions will also act as the catalyst for wider re-development.

Q: Is this why my council tax increased?

A: This is not linked to Council tax decisions.

Q: If I'm not very much mistaken but isn't "levelling up" about creating jobs, promoting industry and making it attractive for investors to plough money into an area to create jobs and revenue? Am I actually missing something here? How is a park going to create the long term security for long term employment?

A: The park is only one element of the scheme. The funding will open up opportunities for further investment and re-development which have the potential to create new jobs, and skills opportunities, as well as new homes and businesses. The wider re-development of the area will seek to connect the town centre and the railway station, and supplement wider investments in the town through the Town Deal.

Q: How will this 'Level Up'? And just what are we 'Levelling Up' with? London? Rotherham? Berlin? Vilnius? What is the objective? The expected outcome? What impact will it have on improving lives & employment opportunities in Boston? Most of us are supportive of Boston's growth. However it all reads rather too vaguely.

A: The funding will open up opportunities for further investment and re-development which have the potential to create new jobs, and skills opportunities, as well as new homes and businesses. The wider re-development of the area will seek to connect the town centre and the railway station, and supplement wider investments in the town through the Town Deal.

Q: Should have built something for the kids to do. This is just a waste of money. People will just go sit and drink there and it will get vandalised.  The council could have done so much more with that funding

A: The park is only one element of the scheme. The funding will open up opportunities for further investment and re-development which have the potential to create new jobs, and skills opportunities, as well as new homes and businesses. The wider re-development of the area will seek to connect the town centre and the railway station, and supplement wider investments in the town through the Town Deal.