JAMES Morris MP has welcomed £19m earmarked for investment in Rowley Regis which will bring a new bus interchange and pedestrianisation in Blackheath.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak cited Rowley Regis in his budget speech to the House of Commons last week, and James has welcomed the benefits that the Towns Fund will bring to Rowley Regis.

This includes a new Bus Interchange and more pedestrianisation for Blackheath, a new multi-purpose hub and improvements for Britannia Park and a proposed new education hub in Cradley Heath.

The cash is part of an overall national spend of over £1bn that has been earmarked for 45 towns across England.

As well as the Rowley Regis Towns Fund, James has also welcomed the wider investment that the Budget pledged for the West Midlands, including improvements for transport infrastructure, and the extra spending that the chancellor has announced to help people and businesses recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

James said: "This Government was elected on a mandate to level-up on investment to towns across the UK, and I’m delighted that Rowley Regis has been included in the Towns Fund investment. Despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought, it is important that we press ahead with these plans as we build back better.

"I will continue to engage with Sandwell MBC on the plans in place, and I look forward to seeing these projects develop with the investment that has been provided."