INVESTMENT of more than £25 million in Radcliffe shows Bury Council have “put its money where its mouth is”, according to leader Mike Connolly.

At a town hall meeting earlier this month Radcliffe West Cllr Tony Cummings asked Cllr Connolly to outline the money which had been spent in Radcliffe.

Cllr Connolly revealed he, MP Ivan Lewis and Cllr Tony Isherwood are set to meet with Sir Michael Heller, chairman of London and Associated Properties, about investment opportunities.

He praised last years’ completion of the £6 million Red Bank extra care facility, which provides 40 supported living apartments, and recent sports and leisure improvements totalling £121,000.

Cllr Connolly said: “Bury Council is committed to investing in all parts of the borough and I am proud Radcliffe is no exception.

“Whilst the party opposite promised much and delivered little in Radcliffe, I am delighted this Labour administration has put its money where its mouth is.

“At a time when the council is rising to the challenge of the most severe government spending cuts in living memory, there has been total investment of more than £25 million in Radcliffe.

“This must surely make it absolutely clear to everyone that this Labour administration sees Radcliffe as being a worthwhile priority for investment.”

Cllr Connolly also outlined the multi-million pound regeneration project to bring a refurbished market hall, new public toilets and retail scheme and a revamped bus terminus to Radcliffe town centre.

It is anticipated the works for this project could start as early as next March with a planning application submitted this month.

Cllr Cummings said: “I wanted to publicise what the council were doing and am pleased this Labour administration is pressing ahead with more investment in Radcliffe.

“I hope when Cllr Connolly, Ivan Lewis MP and Cllr Isherwood meet with Sir Michael Heller this allows for a better chance of getting more investment into Radcliffe if we all work together.”

But Aaron Hepworth, founder of the Radcliffe Independence Party, took to Twitter to vent his frustration at some of the points made.

He said: “The Red Bank care facility costs £1,900 a month – hardly for the people of Radcliffe.

“Millwood School should have been made much bigger as there is still a waiting list to get in.

“And let’s not make random statements about housing – ask most people in their mid-twenties if it is easy to get on the housing ladder.”