HS2 has awarded £323,383 to five community projects in Park Royal, Ealing and Acton as part of its Phase One (London to Birmingham) and Phase 2a (Birmingham to Crewe) development since 2017, new figures have been revealed by Groundwork UK which administers the community funds.
Overall, HS2 has awarded £13,445,843 to 236 community projects across between London and Crewe of which Greater London accounted for £2.38m.
Ball Out Community: £5,213
Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation: £255,200
West London Community CIC: £9,770
Park Royal Business Group: £43,200
Acton Play Projects and Leisure Events (A.P.P.L.E.): £10,000
Since 2017, HS2 made available the Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) to aid community groups and business partnerships impacted by the construction of Phase One (London to Birmingham) and Phase 2a (Birmingham to Crewe) of the HS2 project
The CEF & BLEF schemes will provide up to £45m of funding throughout the construction timeline of HS2, supporting community-led projects that improve the environment, such as tree planting and energy efficiency measures. The Funds also support initiatives that bring benefits to local communities, such as the provision of new community facilities or support for local heritage and culture.
Last month, HS2 gave Acton Play Projects and Leisure Events (A.P.P.L.E.), which is based at Acton Park, £10,000. The funding will see the group deliver 30 sessions of its after school club for 16 pupils. It will also be offering four drop-in sessions in June and July for children to help them prepare for the annual Acton Carnival taking place on 15 July 2023.
Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Funds said: “It’s fantastic to be able to report that HS2’s funding programme for line of route communities has awarded £13.4 million since 2017, with over £2 million distributed in the last year to locally-led projects between London and Crewe.
“I have been lucky enough to visit several projects and see the impact of the funding first-hand, such as the opening of brand new playgrounds and thriving environmental regeneration initiatives. It’s clear to see the significant difference the funding makes and how important it is to local communities.”
The CEF & BLEF schemes will provide up to £45m of funding throughout the construction timeline of HS2, supporting community-led projects that improve the environment, such as tree planting and energy efficiency measures. The Funds also support initiatives that bring benefits to local communities, such as the provision of new community facilities or support for local heritage and culture.
 and Phase 2a (Birmingham to Crewe) development since 2017, new figures have been revealed by Groundwork UK which administers the community funds.){kind=link}