Residents invited to shape £20 million investment in Smallbridge & Hurstead

Tuesday, 14 October 2025 09:41

By Adam Clark

Labour MP for Rochdale, Paul Waugh. Credit - House of Commons/Laurie Noble

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has written to every household in Smallbridge and Hurstead, inviting residents to help shape how the new £20 million Pride in Place investment will be spent.

The government’s Pride in Place programme will deliver £2 million a year for the next decade to the Rochdale locality, with decisions led locally through a new Neighbourhood Board of residents, community groups, councillors and partners.

In his letter, Paul outlined early ideas put forward by the community — from tackling congestion and improving parking to creating new green spaces, enhancing local facilities, and expanding maternity services — and urged people to get involved.

Paul Waugh MP said: “A key part of my job as MP for Rochdale is to get our town the Government funding it deserves, so I’m delighted to have secured this vital cash for residents. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of Smallbridge and Hurstead. I want to make sure the funding goes where residents think it’s needed most — whether that’s better services, safer streets or new community spaces. This will only work if local people are in the driving seat from the very start.”

The first community meeting, coming up in early December, will give residents the chance to share their ideas, ask questions and hear more about the next steps in setting up the Neighbourhood Board.

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