Since my last column, we have had some really exciting news for Crewe. We are receiving £22.9 million as part of Crewe's Town Deal to regenerate our community.

I've campaigned really hard for us to get a Town Deal because I knew what kind of difference it could make to Crewe.

I walked the Minister in charge around Crewe in 2019 and got him speaking to residents so he could hear about the challenges that exist straight from the horse's mouth.

It's been a long journey since then, but this Monday, the Towns Fund Minister came to Crewe to celebrate the announcement of the deal and visit Flag Lane Baths – just one of the community projects that will be funded.

We have been successful in securing an impactful sum of money and the projects we are funding are going to help transform our town and deliver on building back better.

I wanted to take the time to explain some of the brilliant regenerations that will be taking place as a result of this money. As I have already mentioned, there is a clear plan to regenerate Flag Lane Baths and bring this building back into community use. I know this building has so many great memories for people that live in Crewe.

The funding also focuses on giving young people more things to do in the town centre, such as rebuilding Mirion Street Youth Club, as well as a brand-new multi-use games area. It is important that young people benefit from this deal, and one thing that has been highlighted to me on numerous occasions is the need for more things for young people to do in Crewe.

Additionally, we will be funding an upgrade of the Cumberland arena. Improving the access and upgrading the facilities at Cumberland Arena will help more people exercise and make the most out of the first class site we have there. There is going to be a new 250-person capacity spectator stand as well.

Another big commitment of this town deal is to make it easier for people to get in and out of town. I know this is an issue that the community cares strongly about, I am happy that two brand new greener and cleaner cycling and walking routes will be crated, starting from the train station via Mill Street and along Valley Brook which will help people do that.

On top of this, there will be a five-year commitment to improving our green spaces to allow people to spend more time outside, as well as making Crewe a greener and more environmentally friendly place.

I want to say a huge thank you to all those who sit on the Crewe Town Board who have made this who developed so many positive projects for us to fund.

This was a team effort. There has been a lot of hard work and planning that has gone into the proposal, which included hundreds of residents who took part in a survey I sent out to help inform the plan. What is really important is that residents got to have a say on these plans, we are delivering things you wanted to see. Thanks for taking part!

All of these projects, on top of the market hall reopening, the £14.15 million we have had to renew and regenerate our high streets and the new plans for the Lyceum square will give a real boost to Crewe.

I have hope that all this investment will completely transform our local area over these next few years, we are really building back better. I can't wait to see how it turns out.