DELIGHTED residents in Atherton have vowed that a massive government cash injection will bring genuine power to the people. As reported in yesterday's BEN, nearly £6 million of Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) money has been awarded to Atherton and the Hag Fold Estate.

Another project to rejuvenate East Bury has also been successful, winning a grant of £5 million.

Following the Atherton announcement, the chairman of the Dorset Road Hag Fold Community Centre, Sue Wilson, said she was delighted.

She said: "This money can make a real difference and gives us the chance to change things for the better.

"The special thing about our bid is that it really does involve the people of the Hag Fold estate and give them the genuine opportunity to have their say on how the money is spent."

She added: "This estate has many good people, but there are also problems. If we tackle them now we can make a real difference.

"Many of us have been here for years. There used to be real pride in this estate. There isn't now, but with this SRB there can be again."

The key aims of the SRB project during the next six years will be to create new jobs and help local residents secure those jobs; tackle poor housing, crime, health and learning problems; and improve neighbourhood co-ordination to bring decision making closer to the people and make service more relevant to local needs.

Wide range

The East Bury project aims to tackle a wide range of issues including housing and health and environment and lifestyle.

Bury Council deputy leader and local ward councillor John Byrne said: "This multi-million pound award shows that there is faith in the strategic partnership and local people to achieve the aims that we have set out. I am confident that this will be the case. A lot of hard work does lie ahead but I am convinced we will achieve what we have promised to do - the transformation of the East Bury area."

Another SRB project, the Commonwealth Games 2002 regional bid, has received £6.2 million.

The scheme, in which Bolton Council is a partner, aims to create a legacy of economic and social infrastructure after the games.

Support will be given to disadvantaged and ethnic minority groups, thousands of pupils will benefit from schools projects and improvements will be made to health, sport and cultural facilities.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.