Ely has received thousands of pounds in development money as members of the Combined Authority Board approve three East Cambridgeshire District Council project proposals received under the Market Towns Programme.
A total sum of £344,000 of Combined Authority funding was approved by members.
The first grant is £120,000 for a project to expand the ageing CCTV infrastructure in Ely, which has match funding from Ely City Council of £150,000. The grant will enable the city to complete the second and third phase of its CCTV upgrade. Phase 1 installed 27 cameras and Phase 2 will install a further 12. Phase 3 will facilitate the use of three temporary cameras for events like festivals and concerts.
The second grant of £100,000 goes towards improving the look of Ely, with a capital fund to which businesses can apply for smartening up building frontages around key parts of the centre.
A third grant of £124,000 is also about enhancing public space in Ely, a major visitor destination with its cathedral, river, and heritage as Oliver Cromwell’s birthplace. The Combined Authority has in the past awarded Ely £214,000 for improving street furniture – bins, benches, shelters, signs, and walkways – around the city, but this new funding is to cover ‘shortfalls’ following feedback from Ely locals.